trembled in every limb, and listened till the sense of hearing seemed agony. She could not comprehend the cause of the noise and bustle made by the citizens, as they came crowding into the camp; she looked forth, but the throng of half naked men, women, and children, that came hurrying along, seemed inexplicable; she stopped a woman, who, half dressed, had her clothes tucked up in one hand, whilst with the other she led two half naked children—"What is the matter? asked she. "Roderick," cried the woman bewildered in her grief, "God bless the noble Roderick!"
"Where are you going?" demanded Pauline of two young men, bearing between them a bed containing their sick father.
"Roderick!" shouted the pious Spaniards. "Heaven, in its mercy, bless Roderick!"
Pauline was proceeding in her inquiries, though without the smallest hope of receiving a direct reply, the hearts and minds of Spaniards being so full of Roderick, that no other name could find utterance from their lips, when she perceived her father.
