The change effected in the looks and spirits of the princesses by
this secret intercourse, surprised and gratified the left-handed king;
but no one was more elated than the discreet Kadiga, who considered it
all owing to her able management.
At length there was an interruption in this telegraphic
correspondence; for several days the cavaliers ceased to make their
appearance in the glen. The princesses looked out from the tower in
vain. In vain they stretched their swan-like necks from the balcony;
in vain they sang like captive nightingales in their cage: nothing was
to be seen of their Christian lovers; not a note responded from the
groves. The discreet Kadiga sallied forth in quest of intelligence,
and soon returned with a face full of trouble. "Ah, my children!"
cried she, "I saw what all this would come to, but you would have your
way; you may now hang up your lutes on the willows. The Spanish
cavaliers are ransomed by their families; they are down in Granada,
and preparing to return to their native country."
The three beautiful princesses were in despair at the tidings. Zayda
was indignant at the slight put upon them, in thus being deserted
without a parting word. Zorayda wrung her hands and cried, and
looked in the glass, and wiped away her tears, and cried afresh. The
gentle Zorahayda leaned over the balcony and wept in silence, and
her tears fell drop by drop among the flowers of the bank where the
faithless cavaliers had so often been seated.
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