ed to be his Vizier.

He afterwards repaired to the apartment of Damake, who, already
informed of an event which employed the thoughts of the whole Court,
doubted not that there was an alteration in the mind of him to whom
she was so perfectly attached. The sorrow which this reflection had
given her had plunged her into a state so languishing as scarce left
her the use of speech. Yet making an effort to conquer herself, she
said to him, after some moments' silence,

"How is it possible, my lord, that after all the expenses you have
been at, and all the cares you took for the arrival of Diafer at your
Court--after all the honours you have ordered to be paid him, and
those that you have loaded him with, you should receive him so ill?"

"Ah! Damake," cried Nourgehan, "I should have had no regard to all
that I have done for him, to his illustrious family, nor to the
fatigues that he has suffered in coming so far, if any one but you had
recommended him to me. I would have had his head struck off the moment
he presented himself before me, and it was wholly in regard to you
that I satisfied myself with banishing him from my presence for ever."

"But how did he incur your indignation?" pursued Damake.

"Know, then," resumed Nourgehan, "that when he came up to me he had
the most subtle of poisons about him."

"May I ask you, my lord," returned Damake, "what certainty you have of
such a fact, and if you may not doubt of the fidelity of him who made
you the report?"

Nourgehan replied, "I knew it myself. I permit you to inquire into it,
and you will find whether I was mistaken or not."

When Nourgehan had left Damake more reassured as to the heart of the
Emperor, though alarmed at the impressions he was capable of taking so
lightly, she sent for Diafer, who appeared sunk in the most violent
chagrin. She conversed with him for some time, and perceiving how
deeply the ill-treatment he had received from the King had plunged the
poniard of sorrow into his heart, she said to him that he ought not to
afflict himself so much, that the wrath of Nourgehan would be of no
long duration, and that he would soon repair the affront that he had
publicly given him. She added that Princes had their hasty moments,
that ought to be passed by and excused. When she had a little calmed
his chagrin, she finished her discourse by saying to him,

"If I have deserved your confidence, if you believe that I shall
endeavour to repair the affront you