d, as well to gratify
the impatience of the Sultan as to conceal from the ambassador the
secret of the existence of Chamsada's son. The aged monarch at that
time assumed the dignity of envoy from the King of Persia, to fulfil
the conditions of the treaty.

No sooner had Chamsada arrived in the capital of Egypt, than the
Sultan sent for the Mufti and the Cadi for the contract and ceremony
of marriage. Their obedience was immediately rewarded by a present of
robes and five thousand pieces of gold. The Princess entered the
apartment allotted for the nuptials. A crowd of most beautiful slaves,
and magnificently dressed, conducted her to the bath, carrying pots in
which the most precious spices were burning. At her coming out of the
bath she was dressed by her attendants with the greatest care. They
fanned her with peacocks' feathers while her long and lovely hair was
dressed, and spared no pains to attire her in the most costly
garments, till her splendour outshone the lights of the apartment, and
her beauty eclipsed that of everything around her. Thus attired, she
was conducted to the Sultan.

The monarch received her with demonstrations of the most tender
affection, and seated her by his side. A supper was served up to them,
of which the delicacy exceeded the profusion of the dishes; and he
presented his future spouse with several boxes stored with the rarest
jewels.

In the meantime Chamsada, far from partaking of the public felicity
and of the happiness of her husband, pined in secret. Separated from
her son, she was occupied about him alone, to whom her heart was truly
attached. Seconding the political and foolish views of her uncle, she
would hazard nothing with the Sultan which might lessen the character
of this respectable old man, and she durst not speak of her son. What
evils, however, might she not have prevented by a proper confidence!
And what might she not have expected from the love of Bensirak, which
grew stronger every day!

The event was soon to justify the tender uneasiness of the Queen
respecting her son. Balavan, informed of the marriage of his
sister-in-law with the Sultan of Egypt, and having learned that
Selimansha reigned in Persia, felt his projects of vengeance awaken in
his heart. He beheld himself deprived of the fruit of his crimes, of
the throne of Persia, the object of his ambition, and of the beauty he
was anxious to conquer. The wretch, delivered over to his
inclinations, infested by