form and
features of a ghoul, or evil spirit, she wrung her hands, and wept
bitterly, and all her love returned for the magnificent Youantee.

Now the great khan was drunk with quass, and he ordered the pearl beyond
all price to be brought to him, and she replied trembling, saying, "Tell
your lord that I am not fit to appear in his sublime presence until I
have washed myself in the river." And those who had charge of her took
the message to the great khan, who replied, "Let her wash, since she is
so dirty."

Then was the litter of the peerless Chaoukeun taken down to the banks of
the river, and she stood upon a rock which overhung the black waters.
"How callest thou this river?" said she to her attendants.

And they replied, "This river, O princess, divides the territory of
Tartary from China, and it is called the river of the Black Dragon."

"Then is the prophecy fulfilled," cried the pearl beyond price. "It is
my destiny; and destiny, who shall resist?"

She raised up her arms to heaven, and uttering a loud shriek at her
unhappy fate, she plunged headlong into the boiling waters, and
disappeared for ever.

Thus was the prophecy fulfilled. The brother of the sun and moon had
wed--beauty had been laid at the golden feet--the pearl beyond price had
been found and lost. There had been joy and there had been sorrow in
life--and sorrow in death. The Black Dragon had proved the foe to the
celestial empire, for it had swallowed up the pearl beyond all price.

Ti-tum, ti-tum, tilly-lilly, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.

The twang of the rude instrument awoke the pacha, who had been fast
asleep for some time.

"Is it finished, Mustapha?" said he, rubbing his eyes.

"Yes, your highness; and the destiny foretold was truly accomplished."

"Bismillah! but I'm glad of it. Before he had whined ten minutes, I
foretold that I should go to sleep. My destiny has also been
accomplished."

"Will your highness foretell the destiny of this dog with two tails?"

"Two tails! that reminds me that we have only had one out of him as yet.
Let's have him again to-morrow, and have another. At all events, we
shall have a good nap. God is great."

Chapter XX

"Mustapha," said the pacha, "I feel as the caliph Haroun Alraschid, in
the tale of Yussuf, related by Menouni, full of care; my soul is
weary--my heart is burnt as roast meat."

Mustapha, who had wit enough to perceive that he was to act the part of
Giaffar, the vizier, imm