ed in silence and confusion, and HAMET and
OMAR were left alone. OMAR was taken by some of the soldiers who had
adhered to ALMORAN, but HAMET made his escape.

ALMORAN, whose wishes were thus far accomplished by the intervention of
a power superior to his own, exulted in the anticipation of that
happiness which he now supposed to be secured; and was fortified in his
opinion, that he had been wretched only because he had been weak, and
that to multiply and not to suppress his wishes was the way to acquire
felicity.

As he was returning from the gallery, he was met by Osmyn and Caled, who
had heard the supernatural declaration in his behalf, and learned its
effects. ALMORAN, in that hasty flow of unbounded but capricious favour,
which, in contracted minds, is the effect only of unexpected good
fortune, raised Osmyn from his feet to his bosom: 'As in the trial,'
said he, 'thou hast been faithful, I now invest thee with a superior
trust. The toils of state shall from this moment devolve upon thee; and
from this moment, the delights of empire unallayed shall be mine: I will
recline at ease, remote from every eye but those that reflect my own
felicity; the felicity that I shall taste in secret, surrounded by the
smiles of beauty, and the gaities of youth. Like heaven, I will reign
unseen; and like heaven, though unseen, I will be adored.' Osmyn
received this delegation of power with a tumultuous pleasure, that was
expressed only by silence and confusion. ALMORAN remarked it; and
exulting in the pride of power, he suddenly changed his aspect, and
regarding Osmyn, who was yet blushing, and whose eyes were swimming in
tears of gratitude, with a stern and ardent countenance; 'Let me,
however,' said he, 'warn thee to be watchful in thy trust: beware, that
no rude commotion violate my peace by thy fault; lest my anger sweep
thee in a moment to destruction.' He then directed his eye to Caled:
'And thou too,' said he, 'hast been faithful; be thou next in honour and
in power to Osmyn. Guard both of you my paradise from dread and care;
fulfill the duty that I have assigned you, and live.'

He was then informed by a messenger, that HAMET had escaped, and that
OMAR was taken. As he now despised the power both of HAMET and OMAR, he
expressed neither concern nor anger that HAMET had fled; but he ordered
OMAR to be brought before him.

When OMAR appeared bound and disarmed, he regarded him with a smile of
insult and derision; and asked