ed round with an affected smile of wonder and compassion,
as appealing to them from a charge that was thus fiercely and
injuriously brought against him, and imputing it to the violence of
sudden passions by which truth and reason were overborne. The eye of
HAMET at once detected the artifice, which he disdained to expose; he,
therefore, commanded the guard that attended to carry off ALMEIDA to her
apartment. The guard was preparing to obey, when ALMORAN, who thought he
had now such an opportunity to get her into his own power as would never
return, ordered them to see her safely lodged in his own seraglio.

The men, who thus received opposite commands from persons to whom they
owed equal obedience, stood still in suspense, not knowing which to
prefer: ALMORAN then reproached them with want of obedience, not to him,
but to God, appealing to the prodigy for the justification of his claim.
HAMET, on the contrary, repeated his order, with a look and emphasis
scarce less commanding than the thunder and the voice. But the priests
interposing in favour of ALMORAN, upon presumption that his right had
been decided by a superior power; the guard rushed between HAMET and
ALMEIDA, and with looks that expressed the utmost reluctance and regret,
attempted to separate their hands, which were clasped in each other. She
was affrighted at the violence, but yet more at the apprehension of what
was to follow; she, therefore, turned her eyes upon HAMET, conjuring
him not to leave her, in a tone of tenderness and distress which it is
impossible to describe: he replied with a vehemence that was worthy of
his passion, 'I will not leave thee,' and immediately drew his sabre. At
the same moment they forced her from him; and a party having interposed
to cover those that were carrying her off, HAMET lifted up his weapon to
force his passage through them; but was prevented by OMAR, who, having
pressed through the crowd, presented himself before him. 'Stop me not,'
said HAMET, 'it is for ALMEIDA.' 'If thou wouldst save ALMEIDA,' said
OMAR, 'and thyself, do that only which is RIGHT. What have these done
who oppose thee, more than they ought? and what end can their
destruction answer, but to stain thy hands with unavailing murder? Thou
canst only take the life of a few faithful slaves, who will not lift up
their hands against thee: thou canst not rescue ALMEIDA from thy
brother; but thou canst preserve thyself from guilt.'

These words of OMAR suspend