tracted her attention; and as
the partition was but slight, and the persons discoursing spoke Italian,
she could not help overhearing the conversation which there look place,
even if she had possessed any punctilious feelings to have prevented her
from becoming a willing listener.

"The Lady Nisida is a magnificent woman, Demetrius," observed a voice
which our heroine immediately recognized to be that of the grand vizier.
"Such a splendid aquiline countenance I never before beheld! Such eyes,
too, such a delicious mouth, and such brilliant teeth! What a pity 'tis
that she has not the use of her tongue! The voice of such a glorious
creature, speaking mine own dear Italian language, would be music
itself. And how admirably is she formed--upon somewhat too large a
Scale, perhaps, to precisely suit my taste, and yet the contours of her
shape are so well rounded--so perfectly proportioned in the most
harmonious symmetry, that were she less of the Hebe she would be less
charming."

"Is your highness already enamored of Donna Nisida?" asked the person to
whom the grand vizier had addressed the preceding observations.

"I must confess that I am, Demetrius," replied Ibrahim; "I would give a
year of my life to become her favored lover for one day. But considering
that I hope to see my sister Flora become the wife of Donna Nisida's
brother Francisco, I must restrain this passion of mine within due
bounds. But wherefore do you sigh thus heavily, Demetrius?"

"Alas! my lord, the mention you make of your sister reminded me that I
once possessed a sister also," returned the Greek in a plaintive tone.
"But when I returned to Constantinople, I sought vainly for her, and
Heaven knows what has become of her, and whether I shall ever see her
more. Poor Calanthe! some treachery has doubtless been practiced toward
thee!"

"Don't give way to despair, Demetrius," said the grand vizier. "Who
knows but Calanthe may have espoused some youth on whom her affections
were set----"

"Ah! my lord!" interrupted the Greek, "it is considerate--it is kind on
the part of your highness to suggest such a consolatory belief; but
Calanthe would not keep an honorable bridal secret. Yet better were it
that she should be dead--that she should have been basely murdered by
some ruthless robber, than that she should live dishonored. However, I
will not intrude my griefs upon your highness, although the friendship
and the condescension which your highness manif