an the meanest slave who was accustomed to kiss the dust
at his feet.

But, subduing the fearful agitation which oppressed him--composing his
feelings and his countenance as well as he was able, the proud and
haughty Ibrahim hastened to implore admittance to his wife's chamber,
and when the boon was accorded, and he found himself in her presence, he
besought her pardon in a voice and with a manner expressive of the most
humiliating penitence. Thus, at the moment when thousands--perhaps
millions, were envying the bright fortunes and glorious destiny of
Ibrahim the Happy, as he was denominated--the dark and terrible
despotism of the Sultana Valida made him tremble for his life, and
compelled him to sue at Aischa's feet for pardon. And if, at the same
instant of his crushed spirit and wounded pride, there were a balm found
to soothe the racking fibers of his heart, the anodyne consisted in the
tender love which Aischa manifested toward him, and the touching
sincerity with which she assured him of her complete forgiveness.

* * * * *

Return we again to that Mediterranean island on which Fernand Wagner and
the beauteous Nisida espoused each other by solemn vows plighted in the
face of Heaven, and where they have now resided for six long months. At
first how happy--how supremely happy was Nisida, having tutored herself
so far to forget the jarring interests of that world which lay beyond
the sea, as to abandon her soul without reservation to the delights of
the new existence on which she had entered. Enabled once more to use
that charming voice which God had given her, but which had remained
hushed for so many years,--able also to listen to the words that fell
from the lips of her lover, without being forced to subdue and crush the
emotions which they excited,--and secure in the possession of him to
whom she was so madly devoted, and who manifested such endearing
tenderness toward herself, Nisida indeed felt as if she were another
being, or endowed with the lease of a new life.

At first, too, how much had Wagner and Nisida to say to each other,--how
many fond assurances to give--how many protestations of unalterable
affection to make! For hours would they sit together upon the seashore,
or on the bank of the limpid stream in the valley, and converse almost
unceasingly, wearying not of each other's discourse, and sustaining the
interests and the enjoyment of that interchange of thoughts by f