then, what would have become of my beauty? I could
not allow it, for my clothing is beautiful." She laughed so
maliciously, that he well knew who she meant by the clumsy peasant.

Before he could reply, she had engaged him in a new game, and then in
another, and so on, that he could find no opportunity to demand the
talisman. Even so passed the next and some following days. Messengers
arrived daily from the city to bring news of the Princess's health.
But these news were not comforting: the invalid grew worse from day to
day, and the whole company of physicians knew no name for the disease,
nor could they apply a remedy. If the priests were to be believed,
this long and extraordinary sickness was a consequence of killing the
sacred snake, and a punishment from heaven. Scarcely had this
conclusion reached the King's ear, than it found credence in his weak
mind. He caused the still imprisoned high priest to be called before
him, and he advised that the priests should be immediately set at
liberty, and reinstated in their former rank. It was proclaimed
through the city that sacrifices and gifts should be offered, and that
all the people were to return to the worship of the snake. The priests
gave it out that they had found a similar snake, and Jussuf was again
destined for the principal sacrifice, as the Princess lay so near
death that she scarcely breathed or gave any sign of life. Jussuf had,
in the meanwhile, passed many days in play; and, although he daily
received tidings of the Princess, he was ignorant of everything else
that passed in the capital. On one of the last days, he proposed to
his playfellow that she should be his wife, and go home with him.

But she laughed, and said, "Are you not already betrothed to
Haschanascha? Did you think I did not know it? I also know that you
have dared this with many women. You have turned your house into a
seraglio, as birds are kept in a cage. How hateful must such a life
be! Shall I allow myself to be bound for life by the speaking of a
hoary imam? Heaven forbid it!" She began to jump and dance before
Jussuf, while she sang:

[Illustration]

"A happy life, a roving wing,
A sprightly dance, a voice to sing,
To sport 'mid flowers and crowns of spring,
Such, such be the life for me.
No care to-day, no toil the morrow,
Ever sunshine, never sorrow:
I sip and quaff the honied wine
With my rosy lips divine.
Fearless I stray, whate'er my