nchanter stood motionless before her; the apartments vanished, and
she found herself with him in a dark hut, with various kinds of
necromantic instruments about her.

Urad, though fearful, yet was so much overcome with fatigue and fright
that she sank on the ground; and, happily for her, the enchanter was
in no condition to persecute her.

"Curse on my folly," said he, as he stood fixed to the ground, "that I
neglected to ask for the bag itself which held the gifts of the genius
Houadir! her pretty pupil had then been my slave, in spite of the many
fine lessons she had been taught by that pitiful and enthusiastic
genius; but now by chance, and not by the merit of thy virtues, or thy
education, art thou delivered from my seraglio. But this grieves me
not so much to lose a sickly girl as that I find a superior power
condemns me to declare to you the causes of your error.

"Know, then, Urad--I speak not from myself, but He speaks who, from
casual evil, can work out certain good--He forces me to declare that
no specious appearance, no false colours, should incline the virtuous
heart to listen to the wiles of deceit; for evil then comes most
terrible when it is cloaked under friendship. Why, then, had Urad so
great an opinion of her own judgment as to confide in the false
appearance of the son of Houadir when she might have consulted her
faithful monitors? The falling of a peppercorn would have taught her
to trust to no appearances, nor would she have parted with her
peppercorns, which were to refresh in her memory the sentiments of
virtue, chastity, and honour--no, not to Houadir herself. No adviser
can be good who would destroy what he himself has first inculcated;
and no appearance ought to bias us to receive as truths those things
which are contrary to virtue and religion. How, then, did Urad keep to
the instructions of Houadir?"

Thus spoke the enchanter, and no more; his mouth closed up, and he
stood fixed and motionless. And Urad, finding her spirits somewhat
recovered, hastened out of the hut, and perceived that it was morning.

She had now no more peppercorns to depend upon; wherefore she cried
to Houadir to succour her; but the genius was deaf to her entreaties.

"Poor miserable wretch!" said Urad to herself, "what will become of
thee, inclosed in a forest through which thou knowest no path? But,"
continued she, "why should I not examine the enchanter, who perhaps is
yet immovable in the cottage? I saw him fo