d bracelets adorned her fair
arms; and her head-dress consisted of a turban or shawl of light but
rich material, fastened with golden bodkins, the head of each being a
pearl of the best water. Beneath this turban, her rich auburn hair,
glowing like gold in the light of the perfumed lamps, and amidst the
blaze of diamonds which adorned her, was parted in massive bands,
sweeping gracefully over her temples and gathered behind the ears, then
falling in all the luxuriance of its rich clustering folds over the
cushion whereon she reclined. Her finger-nails were slightly tinged with
henna, the rosy hue the more effectually setting off the lily whiteness
of her delicate hand and full round arm. But no need had she to dye the
lashes of her eyes with the famous kohol, so much used by Oriental
ladies, for those lashes were by nature formed of the deepest jet--a
somewhat unusual but beauteous contrast with the color of her hair. The
cheeks of the lovely creature were slightly flushed, or it might have
been a reflection of the scarlet brocade of the cushion on which, as we
have said, she was half-seated, half-lying, when Alessandro appeared in
her presence.

For a few moments the young Italian was so dazzled by her beauty, so
bewildered by the appearance of that lady, whose richness of attire
seemed to denote the rank of sultana, that he remained rooted to the
spot, uncertain whether to advance, to retire, or to fall upon his knees
before her. But in an encouraging tone, and in a voice musical as a
silver bell, the lady said: "Approach, Christian!" and she pointed to a
low ottoman within a few paces of the sofa which she herself occupied.
Alessandro now recovered his presence of mind; and no longer embarrassed
and awkward, but with graceful ease and yet profound respect, he took
the seat indicated.

"Beauteous lady," he said, "how can I ever demonstrate the
gratitude--the illimitable, boundless gratitude which fills my heart,
for the joy, the truly elysian delight afforded me by this meeting?"

"You speak our language well, Christian," observed the lady, smiling
faintly at the compliment conveyed by the words of Alessandro, but
evading a direct reply.

"I have for some years past been in the service of the Florentine envoy,
lady," was the answer; "and the position which I occupy at the palace of
the embassy has led me to study the beauteous language of this clime,
and to master its difficulties. But never, never did that langua