the old dervish, with his face quite pale, he asked,
"Where are they?"

"The caliph has probably retired to his own apartment with his young
bride," replied he. "Alas! poor Ali, we have come too late."

Ali shuddered, when the dervish began to break out into loud laughter,
and throwing off his cap and cloak, stood before him in princely
splendour as Haroun al Raschid. "Wise Ali," he cried, "must I see you
again in a situation where you are not a hair's breadth wiser than the
caliph?" So saying, he took him by the hand and led him to an
adjoining apartment, where he was received by Gulhyndi. "Accept your
bride from my hands," said the caliph; "she is yours, and I renounce
all my claims to her. But I will not proceed in an arbitrary manner in
this affair; I have sent for your parents, and trust to obtain their
consent." He had scarcely uttered these words, when Hussain and
Ibrahim were brought in. "Hussain!" said the caliph, sternly, "I have
reason to be very angry with you. You have not offered me your
daughter on my own account, you have employed me as an instrument to
wreak your revenge. You have sacrificed this poor girl to prevent
Ali's union with her; she would be unhappy, had not despair inspired
her with courage to disclose all to me. Give your consent, as that is
the only way by which you can be restored to my favour."

"Commander of the Faithful!" replied Hussain, "yours is the power, but
you are good and just, and you will not abuse it. From the moment when
I discovered that my daughter would be beautiful, I formed the
resolution that she should belong to you or none. I was obliged thus
suddenly to put this resolution into effect by this youth, the son of
my deadly enemy, who has not solicited my daughter from me, but has
cunningly crept into my house in order to seduce her. That I give to
you what I thought too good for every one else cannot surely displease
you. You are the father of your people, and you will not punish with
your displeasure your slave, who in his trouble, flies to you for
refuge."

"I know all," said the caliph; "use no shifts. You and Ibrahim shall
become friends again, and render your children happy;--such is my will."

"This alliance," replied Hussain, "would be my greatest misfortune, and
death more welcome. I entreat you, sire, if I have shown any fidelity
and zeal towards you during my long service; reward them by allowing me
the authority of a father; do not depri