ous eloquence on behalf of his
sister," said Ibrahim, with a smile; and raising Calanthe from her
suppliant posture, he led her to a seat, gazing on her the while with
eyes expressive of intense passion.

"Your highness," observed the maiden, after a short pause, "has heard
from my own lips how profound is the attachment which I have dared to
conceive for you--how great is the admiration which I entertain for the
brilliant powers of your intellect. To be with thee, great Ibrahim, will
I abandon my country, friends--ay, and even creed, shouldst thou demand
that concession; for in thee--and in thee only--are all my hopes of
happiness now centered!"

"And those hopes shall not be disappointed, dearest Calanthe!" exclaimed
Ibrahim, clasping her in his arms. "But a few minutes before you entered
this room a hundred women--the choicest flowers of all climes--were
gathered here; and yet I value one smile on thy lips more than all the
tender endearments that those purchased houris could bestow. For thy
love was unbought--it was a love that prompted thee to attach thyself to
me in a menial capacity----"

The impassioned language of the grand vizier was suddenly interrupted by
the opening of the door, and three black slaves glided into the
anteroom--half crouching as they stole along--and fixing on the
beauteous Calanthe eyes, the dark pupils of which seemed to glare
horribly from the whites in which they were set.

"Dogs! what signifies this intrusion?" exclaimed Ibrahim Pasha, starting
from the sofa, and grasping the handle of his scimiter.

The chief the three slaves uttered not a word of reply, but exhibited
the imperial signet, and at the same time unrolled from the coil which
he had hitherto held in his hand a long green silken bowstring. At that
ominous spectacle Ibrahim fell back, his countenance becoming ashy pale,
and his frame trembling with an icy shudder from head to foot.

"Choose between this and her," whispered the slave, in a deep tone, as
he first glanced at the bowstring and then looked toward Calanthe, who
knew that some terrible danger was impending, but was unable to divine
where or when it was to fall.

"Merciful Allah!" exclaimed the grand vizier; and throwing himself upon
the floor, he buried his face in his hands.

In another moment Calanthe was seized and gagged, before even a word or
a scream could escape her lips; but Ibrahim heard the rustling of her
dress as she unavailingly struggled with