ngeance of her mother, the Sultana Valida, that he had brought
none of the ladies of his own harem with him. Indeed, since the violent
death of Calanthe the harem had been maintained at Constantinople rather
as an appendage of high rank than as a source of sensual enjoyment.

Nisida of Riverola was treated with the utmost deference and attention
by the Grand Vizier, Ibrahim Pasha; and on reaching the lord high
admiral's ship, she was instantly conducted to the innermost saloon,
which she was given to understand by signs would be exclusively
appropriated to her own use. The slaves occupying the small cabins
opening therefrom were removed to another part of the ship; and the key
of the door connecting the two saloons was handed by the polite Ibrahim
to the lady as a guaranty, or at least an apparent one, of the respect
with which she should be treated and the security she might hope to
enjoy.

The fleet weighed anchor and set sail again almost immediately after the
return of the grand vizier to the admiral's ship; and as she was wafted
away from the Island of Snakes, Nisida sat at the window of her splendid
saloon gazing at the receding shores, and so strangely balancing between
her anxiety to revisit Florence and her regrets at abandoning Fernand
Wagner, that while smiles were on her lips, tears were in her eyes, and
if her bosom palpitated with joy at one moment it would heave with
profound sighs at the next.

In the afternoon four male slaves entered Nisida's cabin, and spread
upon the table a magnificent repast, accompanied with the most delicious
wines of Cyprus and Greece--and while the lady partook slightly of the
banquet, two other slaves appeared and danced in a pleasing style for
several minutes. They retired, but shortly returned, carrying in their
hands massive silver censers, in which burnt aloes, cinnamon and other
odoriferous woods diffused a delicious perfume around. The four slaves
who attended at table removed the dishes on splendid silver salvers, and
then served sherbet and a variety of delicious fruits; and when the
repast was terminated, they all withdrew, leaving Nisida once more
alone. The Island of Snakes had been lost sight of for some hours, and
the fresh breeze of evening was playing upon the cheeks of the Lady
Nisida as she sat at the open casement of her splendid saloon, watching
the ships that followed in the wake of that in which she was, when the
sounds of voices in the adjacent cabin at