Her faculty of observation and her perception of character must have
been remarkably quick, for she could have had only casual and
transient glances at the scenes, manners and customs, depicted with
such truth and spirit. "Indeed it is a continual wonder to us," said
the countess, "where the child (la Nina) has picked up these things;
her life being passed almost entirely at home, in the bosom of the
family."
Evening approached; twilight began to throw its shadows about the
halls, and the bats to steal forth from their lurking-place and flit
about. A notion seized the little damsel and some of her youthful
companions, to set out, under the guidance of Dolores, and explore the
less frequented parts of the palace in quest of mysteries and
enchantments. Thus conducted, they peeped fearfully into the gloomy
old mosque, but quick drew back on being told that a Moorish king
had been murdered there; they ventured into the mysterious regions
of the bath, frightening themselves with the sounds and murmurs of
hidden aqueducts, and flying with mock panic at the alarm of phantom
Moors. They then undertook the adventure of the Iron Gate, a place
of baleful note in the Alhambra. It is a postern gate, opening into
a dark ravine; a narrow covered way leads down to it, which used to be
the terror of Dolores and her playmates in childhood, as it was said a
hand without a body would sometimes be stretched out from the wall and
seize hold of the passers by.
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