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pale face of the phantom。
The latter smiled with ineffable benignity。 She dropped her silver
lute at the feet of Jacinta； crossed her white arms upon her bosom；
and melted from sight； so that it seemed merely as if a shower of
dew…drops had fallen into the fountain。
Jacinta retired from the hall filled with awe and wonder。 She
scarcely closed her eyes that night； but when she awoke at daybreak
out of a troubled slumber； the whole appeared to her like a
distempered dream。 On descending into the hall； however； the truth
of the vision was established； for； beside the fountain； she beheld
the silver lute glittering in the morning sunshine。
She hastened to her aunt； to relate all that had befallen her； and
called her to behold the lute as a testimonial of the reality of her
story。 If the good lady had any lingering doubts； they were removed
when Jacinta touched the instrument； for she drew forth such ravishing
tones as to thaw even the frigid bosom of the immaculate Fredegonda；
that region of eternal winter； into a genial flow。 Nothing but
supernatural melody could have produced such an effect。
The extraordinary power of the lute became every day more and more
apparent。 The wayfarer passing by the tower was detained； and； as it
were； spell…bound； in breathless ecstasy。 The very birds gathered in
the neighboring trees； and hushing their own strains； listened in
charmed silence。
Rumor soon spread the news abroad。 The inhabitants of Granada
thronged to the Alhambra to catch a few notes of the transcendent
music that floated about the Tower of Las Infantas。
The lovely little minstrel was at length drawn forth from her
retreat。 The rich and powerful of the land contended who should
entertain and do honor to her； or rather； who should secure the charms
of her lute to draw fashionable throngs to their saloons。 Wherever she
went her vigilant aunt kept a dragon watch at her elbow； awing the
throngs of impassioned admirers； who hung in raptures on her
strains。 The report of her wonderful powers spread from city to
city。 Malaga； Seville； Cordova； all became successively mad on the
theme； nothing was talked of throughout Andalusia but the beautiful
minstrel of the Alhambra。 How could it be otherwise among a people
so musical and gallant as the Andalusians； when the lute was magical
in its powers； and the minstrel inspired by love！
While all Andalusia was thus music mad； a different mood prevailed
at the court of Spain。 Philip V； as is well known； was a miserable
hypochondriac； and subject to all kinds of fancies。 Sometimes he would
keep to his bed for weeks together； groaning under imaginary
complaints。 At other times he would insist upon abdicating his throne；
to the great annoyance of his royal spouse； who had a strong relish
for the splendors of a court and the glories of a crown； and guided
the sceptre of her imbecile lord with an expert and steady hand。
Nothing was found to be so efficacious in dispelling the royal
megrims as the power of music； the queen took care； therefore； to have
the best performers； both vocal and instrumental； at hand； and
retained the famous Italian singer Farinelli about the court as a kind
of royal physician。
At the moment we treat of； however； a freak had come over the mind
of this sapient and illustrious Bourbon that surpassed all former
vagaries。 After a long spell of imaginary illness； which set all the
strains of Farinelli and the consultations of a whole orchestra of
court fiddlers at defiance； the monarch fairly； in idea； gave up the
ghost； and considered himself absolutely dead。
This would have been harmless enough； and even convenient both to
his queen and courtiers； had he been content to remain in the quietude
befitting a dead man； but to their annoyance he insisted upon having
the funeral ceremonies performed over him； and； to their inexpressible
perplexity； began to grow impatient； and to revile bitterly at them
for negligence and disrespect； in leaving him unburied。 What was to be
done？ To disobey the king's positive commands was monstrous in the
eyes of the obsequious courtiers of a punctilious court… but to obey
him； and bury him alive would be downright regicide！
In the midst of this fearful dilemma a rumor reached the court； of
the female minstrel who was turning the brains of all Andalusia。 The
queen dispatched missions in all haste to summon her to St。 Ildefonso；
where the court at that time resided。
Within a few days； as the queen with her maids of honor was
walking in those stately gardens； intended； with their avenues and
terraces and fountains； to eclipse the glories of Versailles； the
far…famed minstrel was conducted into her presence。 The imperial
Elizabetta gazed with surprise at the youthful and unpretending
appearance of the little being that had set the world madding。 She was
in her picturesque Andalusian dress； her silver lute in hand； and
stood with modest and downcast eyes； but with a simplicity and
freshness of beauty that still bespoke her 〃the Rose of the Alhambra。〃
As usual she was accompanied by the ever…vigilant Fredegonda； who
gave the whole history of her parentage and descent to the inquiring
queen。 If the stately Elizabetta had been interested by the appearance
of Jacinta； she was still more pleased when she learnt that she was of
a meritorious though impoverished line； and that her father had
bravely fallen in the service of the crown。 〃If thy powers equal their
renown；〃 said she； 〃and thou canst cast forth this evil spirit that
possesses thy sovereign； thy fortunes shall henceforth be my care； and
honors and wealth attend thee。〃
Impatient to make trial of her skill； she led the way at once to the
apartment of the moody monarch。
Jacinta followed with downcast eyes through files of guards and
crowds of courtiers。 They arrived at length at a great chamber hung
with black。 The windows were closed to exclude the light of day： a
number of yellow wax tapers in silver sconces diffused a lugubrious
light； and dimly revealed the figures of mutes in mourning dresses；
and courtiers who glided about with noiseless step and woebegone
visage。 In the midst of a funeral bed or bier； his hands folded on his
breast； and the tip of his nose just visible； lay extended this
would…be…buried monarch。
The queen entered the chamber in silence； and pointing to a
footstool in an obscure corner； beckoned to Jacinta to sit down and
commence。
At first she touched her lute with a faltering hand； but gathering
confidence and animation as she proceeded； drew forth such soft aerial
harmony； that all present could scarce believe it mortal。 As to the
monarch； who had already considered himself in the world of spirits；
he set it down for some angelic melody or the music of the spheres。 By
degrees the theme was varied； and the voice of the minstrel
accompanied the instrument。 She poured forth one of the legendary
ballads treating of the ancient glories o