was his unknown friend of Izaser's temple.

"I am certain you now know me. My name is Gulhyndi. I have long known
you, and better than you imagine. A pious dervish with whom I often
conversed in the temple on holy things, frequently spoke of you; and I
will not deny," she continued, blushing, "that your appearance seems to
confirm me in what I have heard of you. My nurse, who is a Christian,
has exerted a great influence upon my education. We poor Arab women
are condemned to sit like prisoners in a cage without receiving
instruction or any cultivation for our minds. But I can bear it no
longer, and beseech you, noble young Mussulman, who surpass in sense
and judgment so many of your age, not to make me repent a step which
reason sanctions, although as a timid girl I must blush at it."

"Lovely stranger," said Ali, "I swear to you by Allah that I will
strive to merit your confidence, and never to make myself unworthy of
it."

"All depends upon our devising a disguise under which I may see you
daily. Do you play an instrument?"

"I play the guitar," replied Ali.

"That is fortunate. My father has promised that I shall learn this
instrument, and has given me permission to receive daily instruction
from a Frank slave in the presence of my nurse. You must be this
slave: will you not?"

"Lovely Gulhyndi," said Ali, "I am your slave already."

Gulhyndi blushed.

"You already act in character, you say sweet things to me, a fault with
all Franks; in this respect we Orientals have the advantage over them,
we tell the true feeling of our hearts plainly."

"So do I; I have not disguised my nature."

"This is a repetition," cried she, laughing; "I see you are more
cunning than I thought; perhaps I have done wrong in reposing such
confidence in you."

It was now agreed that Ali should procure a Frank dress, such as
liberated slaves wore, and should come the next day with his guitar.
Maria, the nurse, accompanied him to the door, entreating him to pardon
Lockman, who, from zeal for his master, and without his orders, had
that morning arranged the whole plan. The enraptured Ali promised it,
and inquired of her who her mistress was.

"As you value your own happiness and hers," answered Maria, "ask me no
questions. Be it sufficient for you to know that her name is Gulhyndi.
She knows no more of you than that your name is Ali. The moment you
know more than this of each other, all your joy will be turned to
sad