Spanish people promise Manoël help. Together they sing their national anthem. Act 2 A bazaar on the shore of the Guadalquivir near Córdoba The Moorish soldiers celebrate their victory over the Spanish in the battle of Zamora. Hermosa, a madwoman who was captured in that battle, appears and asks them to cease glorying in their triumph over her people. The soldiers mock her but she is protected by Hadjar, brother of Ben-Saïd, who took her as booty. Hadjar quotes a verse from the Koran to prevent the Moors harming Hermosa – "Consider as saints the madmen, otherwise be cursed". Hermosa has a vision of herself united in heaven with her children. The virgins arrive to be auctioned off and Manoël, who has disguised himself as a Berber in order to follow Xaïma, also arrives on the scene. Hadjar recognises him as the man who once saved his life in battle and offers his help when he learns that Manoël is in love with Xaïma. In the auction Ben-Saïd bids a huge sum of money for Xaïma and thereby wins her, to Manoël's despair. Act 3 In the palace of Ben-Saïd Ben-Saïd attempts to win the love of Xaïma but she rejects him and leaves. Hadjar enters with Manoël whom he presents to his brother as the man who saved his life and asks that he be given the freedom of the empire. When Ben-Saïd refuses, Manoël denounces him and tries to attack him but is disarmed. Manoël is about to be put to death when Xaïma returns and appeals to Ben-Saïd for mercy. Ben-Saïd agrees to spare his life if Manoël will leave the territory immediately. Xaïma, alone, is in despair, when she is met by Hermosa. When Hermosa learns that Xaïma comes from Zamora, she slowly regains her wits and has a vision of how her husband was burnt alive during that battle. She sings the national anthem in remembrance (Air:"Debout! enfants de l'Ibérie!"). Hermosa recognises Xaïma as her daughter and the two joyfully celebrate their reunion. Act 4 The gardens of Ben-Saïd's palace Manoël has climbed over the walls into the garden to see Xaïma one last time. She joins him and they decide to die together. Manoël takes his dagger, about to stab her through the heart and then kill himself, when Hermosa appears and snatches the weapon from him. Ben-Saïd enters whereupon Manoël and Hermosa leave.