Ha, girl! thou art shrewd. But thinkest thou he could win her?"

"By the help of Iblees,* perhaps." "Perhaps, were he a man. Ghools do not content themselves with things. But let us not disgrace ourselves by talking of him. Give me coffee, child; and disrobe me. It is early, but I will seek my rest, for I am aweary."

of the evil Jinn; though the name is vulgarly applied to both sexes, the male of which is called Kutrub. They feed alike upon human bodies, freshly slain by themselves or obtained from the tomb, and assume a human form at pleasure. The Ghool appears to men in the desert, and suffers herself to be solicited by them. Lane.

* Satan; the Devil; the Prince of the evil Jinn.

CHAPTER IV.

SELF-EMANCIPATION.

THE simple and melodious chants from the minarets of the city, summoning the faithful to prayer, roused the lady from her uneasy slumbers to the light of a glorious morning, before the sun's rays had kissed the waters of the Bosphorus, or even the tops of the neighboring mountains.*

The mistress and slave saluted each other with pious benedictions, and bowed side by side in prayer to God. The lady Charatza arose from her prostration, strengthened in her purpose. In her usual quiet voice she said: "Fatima! bid Ibn Ali saddle two of my fleetest horses, prepared for a long journey, and to be ready with all speed to start at a moment's warning. Then return."

The slave glided from the apartment, and quickly

*The time for morning prayer with the Mohammedans is "daybreak"; or, "generally, on the first faint appearance of light in the east." Lane's Modern Egyptians.

↑ "The Prophet did not forbid women to attend public prayers in a mosque, but pronounced it better for them to pray in private. Formerly women were permitted (and perhaps are still in some countries), but were obliged to place themselves apart from the men, and behind them; because the Muslims are of opinion that the presence of females inspires a different kind of devotion from that which is requisite in a place dedicated to the worship of God."-Lane's Modern Egyptians, Part I. Chap. III.

re-appeared, but not before her mistress had thrice ejaculated, "O Allah, pity me! help me!'

"Now, child, water and my robes. Blessed be He who giveth water in abundance, and raiment that is comely! Should we not rejoice in purity and beauty?"

The cheerful slave adroitly and proudly performed her usual task, and attended her mistress to her common apartment.

"Now send to me Yoo-seef, and wait without."

She met his respectful salutation with an open but dispassionate look, and said, in firm and unembarrassed tones: "Yoo-seef! I have conquered weakness. True love is no sin, and should bring no blush. Nor is it selfish. The suffering of yesterday has opened my eyes to the difficulties which hedge up my-my-passion. I cannot recall, but I can master it. Ay, I would crush it, and with it my life, as I would — as I like that," putting her silken slipper on a stray insect," rather than thou shouldst come to harm. Nay, no words; hear me. My resolve is taken, and in the name of Allah Most High. Thou art a slave but in name. I am the real one, and bow to destiny. The slave must suffer for her lord. I accept the decree. Couldst thou return love for love, our lives would hang by a thread. But more if thy stay here is prolonged, thou wilt surely be torn from me, and sold to a real slavery. I anticipate the rupture, that I may prevent the doom. Horses, and a faithful slave for thy guide, are in readiThe Bashaw of Nalbritz in Cambia, the nearest province of Tartary, and on the shore of the Sea of Azof, is my brother. In this "-putting in his hand. a letter" I have commended thee to his protection

ness.

and kindness in the name of God. I have told him that it is thy wish to acquire the habits and language of the Turks. There remain until I am mistress of my own person, which will be soon. From that time, my destiny and thine are at thy disposal. If you reject my virgin love, I bow. Seek thy country and kinsfolk, and be happy. My love and prayer only will follow thee, like spirits, silent and trackless. They shall not harm nor annoy thee, Yoo-seef. well."

Fare

"Gracious lady!" said Smith, in a tumult of visible emotion, "thy decision is noble, kind, and wise. I obey it. Permit me to say that thine avowal I respect, and shall cherish its remembrance with pride. I have not been untouched by the loveliness of person which "

"Nay, my lord, refrain. I have not sought to unlock thine heart. Nor do I: it is thine own sanctuary. I am too young in my new resolve to bear its disclosures, whether of good or ill to me. Yesterday I was a girl; to-day, a woman. I would remain so, and unshaken; but thy words are unsafe for me. Thy moments, too, are more than life both to thee and to me. Thy departure must be a flight. Let Ibn Ali come to me for directions. The moment he returns to you, mount and be off. Trust him, and use thy spurs. Once more, my lord, farewell. May Allah preserve thee! May the name of Allah encompass thee! May God let down the curtain of his protection over thee!"

The grateful youth, touched by the serious pathos of her emotion, bent upon his knee, and would have taken her hand. She shrank; but then extended it

with a confiding frankness, saying: "Be it so this once; for the future, let God determine."

Kissing the fair and trembling hand, Smith said, in an agitated voice: "Thanks, lady, thanks! May the captive's prayer bring thee God's blessing!"-and was gone.

The slave Ibn Ali received minute but rapid orders, and the two were soon scouring the country northwards.

The lady had borne with stoic fortitude the severe ordeal of the morning; but when the scene was over, and the necessity for self-control, she sank upon her cushions in a flood of tears. The affectionate Fatima -weeping because her mistress wept strove with all the arts of tenderness to soothe her. But the lady seemed even unconscious of her presence, and utterly abandoned to suffering. After an hour of convulsive emotion, she sprang suddenly to her feet, fixed her eye wildly upon the frightened slave, and said, with a grave but frenzied utterance:

"If Beauty should approach to be compared with him, she would hang down her head in shame.

"Or if it were said, ' O Beauty! hast thou seen the like?' she would answer, The equal of this have I not seen.'

Beholding his graceful form and lovely aspect, she would exclaim, 'Extolled be the perfection of Him who created thee, a temptation to all!'

"She would cease not to gaze at him, and say, This is not a mortal: this is no other than a noble angel,'"*

* When Zeleekah, the wife of Potiphar, invited her female friends that they might behold Yoo-seef (Joseph), and excuse her for inclining