cried out
with fright. I prevailed upon Zouhra, who seemed to be the bravest, to
cross holding my hand. Hadidje followed her; but when it came to Nazli's
turn, the timid creature hung to my neck as if terrified by some great
danger; so I took her up in my arms and carried her across to the
opposite side. Kondje-Gul, like a coquette that she is, followed her
example.

"Oh! carry me too," she cried.

As I was holding her over the brook, one of her slippers fell into the
water. You may guess how they laughed; there was Kondje-Gul hopping
about on one foot while I was fishing out the little sandal, which I had
to dry in order to avoid wetting her soft green-silk stocking.

It was one of the most charming spots in the park: a great carpet of
turf shaded by a clump of sycamores. We all sat down....

You have, doubtless, seen plenty of pictures on the subject of "Dreams
of Happiness." There is a delightful garden, at the bottom of which
stands the temple of Love; the figures, handsome young men and handsome
young women, are always found reclining. Well, if you exclude from such
a picture details somewhat too academic for Ferouzat, you may see me on
the grass, enjoying the fresh air with my houris lying down around me,
in the charming abandoned attitudes of young nymphs who have never heard
of such a thing as stays, but display in bold relief the well-rounded
forms of their beautiful and lissom figures.

I had passed my arm round Zouhra's neck; she, with a fond look, rested
her head against me, and Hadidje imitated her on the other side. I began
to talk to Kondje-Gul, the sole interpreter of my amours. You may guess
how curious I was to learn their thoughts. I questioned her about the
events of the morning, and what they had been saying to each other.
Directly she replied, I learnt that when they first got up there was, as
the result of their mutual confidences, a general astonishment. But
Mohammed explained everything, by telling them that "such is the custom
in the French harems." This explanation was sufficient for them. You may
be sure I did not contradict such a flattering assurance.

"Well then, you like my country," I said to her; "and they are all
content that they have come here?"

"Oh, yes!" she exclaimed, "especially since we saw you! Mohammed had led
us to believe that you were old. We feared we were about to enter upon a
dull and formal existence. So you may imagine how delighted we were when
you arrived,