buy the most beautiful slaves for you; but never think of
an alliance with the blood of Hussain; it would be an union against
nature, and the day of your union would be the day of your father's
death."

All the entreaties and persuasions of Ali were of no avail with his
father; the otherwise mild Ibrahim was incensed against his son to a
degree that had never been known before, and, turning his back upon
him, he said, "Be silent and forget your folly if you do not wish, me
to curse the moment in which your mother brought you into the world.
He who loves Hussain's daughter cannot love me, and I must look upon
him as an enemy who intends evil against me."

Ali was now left alone in despair. Soon, however, Lockman made his
appearance, and asked him, "Why are you so dejected?"

"Fate will deprive me of my earthly bliss," replied Ali.

"When did fate ever do so?" rejoined Lockman, "that must have happened
in a moment when I was not present."

"Begone," cried Ali, "am I not unhappy enough without your mockery
aggravating my grief?"

"I come not only with mockery," said Lockman, "but sometimes with rope
ladders."

"Pardon me," said Ali, "grief made me forget your kindness."

"Well," replied Lockman, "I forgive every thing but awkwardness."

"And what remedy is there for me?"

"Nothing easier than to find the remedy for you, provided you will make
use of it."

Ali looked at him amazed.

"Have you then forgotten the caliph entirely? His favour, and what he
told you at the time?" asked Lockman.

A ray of hope now darted through Ali's desponding mind.

"Go to the caliph," continued Lockman, "confess all to him; he will be
amused, nay, rejoiced, for it will flatter him to find that you have
been at last caught in the net of love. You have before now found
favour in his sight; he will laugh at your love intrigue and give his
orders; one word from him will be the foundation of your happiness."

Ali was delighted, but his joy shortly left him after a closer
examination of Lockman's advice. He thought of the wrath of Hussain,
his vindictive disposition, and said to himself: "If I am to go I must
go at once, to-morrow it will be too late; he is spiteful, he is cadi,
and has the power to put his evil designs into execution."

"Then go this very evening," said Lockman.

Ali wrapt himself in his cloak and went. The evening was already
advanced, but the weather was fine and the moon shone. When he arrived
at the