But whilst the wily Ferdinand hesitated not to grant these liberal terms, yet, as in duty bound, he forthwith transmitted to Rome a formal declaration of his resolve to extirpate the abominable heresy of Mohammed from his dominions, whenever a fitting opportunity should occur; thus piously reserving to himself the right of infringing the terms of capitulation, wherever his doing so should seem most conducive to the interests of our holy religion.
The traitor Abenhabuz, besides the indulgences granted by the terms of the surrender, was, as the price of his treason, permitted to reside within the city, and to retain possession of his estates. But some years after, (when, by the capture of Granada, the Catholic Monarchs were relieved from all apprehension of evil consequences ensuing from carrying their long meditated plans into effect) he, as well as the other Moslems who had chosen to remain in Spain, was offered the alternative of Christianity or expatriation. He balanced not in the choice; but forthwith repairing to the altar of Our Lady of griefs, declared himself a convert to the true faith.
In consequence of this act--with the piety and generosity which have at all times distinguished the Spanish nation above all others--the Moor was graciously allowed to keep possession of the lovely _quinta_ and its surrounding vineyards; the rest of his vast estates being made over--for the good of his soul--as an expiatory offering to the chivalric brotherhood of Santiago.
Abenhabuz retired to his country retreat, accompanied only by his daughter, the beauteous Hinzára; for his sons--true scions of an Arabic stock--chose rather to seek a home on the parched shores of Africa, than abandon the accursed dogmas of their Prophet.
Hinzára was the youngest of the Moor's children, and the sole issue of a Christian maiden who had been captured in a foray some time previous to the fall of Ronda, and who--meditating his future treason--Abenhabuz had considered it conducive to his interest to marry.
At the period of his expulsion from the city, his wife had been dead some time, and his daughter had just reached the age when a maiden's footsteps most require the guidance of a mother's care. But Hinzára was a being of no common order. The rosebud bursting through the petals of its mossy calyx, spreading its delicious fragrance to the summer breeze, exceeds not more in loveliness every other flower of the field, than the beauty of Hinzára surpassed that of all the maidens of the neighbourhood. To you, Don Carlos, whose eyes are daily feasted on the charms of our comely Andalusians, it will suffice to say, that in the daughter of Abenhabuz were combined the regular features and soft expression of the dark-eyed _Malagueña_; the blooming cheek and polished brow of the fair _Serrana_[105] of Casarabonela; and the form and carriage of the graceful _Gaditana_![106] Her person, in fact, was a bouquet, of the choicest flowers culled from this our Hesperian garden; whilst her mind might be likened to a book, in which, as in the pages of our incomparable Cervantes, were to be found united the most brilliant wit, the soundest discretion, the purest sentiment, and the nicest judgment.