is ambition was, that I should belong to
the sultan--in consequence I had been carried off by force. I could have
loved the beautiful youth, although he had murdered my father and
mother, but it was the taking me by force which steeled my heart, and I
vowed that I never would listen to his addresses, although I was so
completely in his power. During the time that I had been in his
possession I had never spoken one word, and it came into my head that I
would pretend to be dumb. In three weeks we arrived at Constantinople.
Since I quitted the country I never had seen my brother, his wound was
too severe to allow him to travel with the same rapidity, and it was not
until years afterwards that I knew what had become of him. I was taken
to Osman Ali's house, and allowed a few days' repose from the fatigue of
the journey; after which, as I was still but a child, I was ordered to
be instructed in music, dancing, singing, and every other accomplishment
considered necessary for the ladies of a harem. But I adhered to my
resolution, every method to induce me to speak was tried in vain; even
blows, torture from pinching, and other means were resorted to, but
would not induce me to swerve from my resolution; at last they concluded
that I was either born dumb, or had become so from fright at the time
that the attack and slaughter of my family took place. I was eighteen
months in the harem of Osman Ali, and never spoke one word.

* * * * *

"Mashallah! but this is wonderful!" exclaimed the pacha--"a woman hold
her tongue for eighteen months! Who is to believe this?"

"Not at all wonderful!" replied the old woman, "when you recollect that
she was required to speak."

* * * * *

Once and once only, did I nearly break through my resolution. Two of the
principal favourites were conversing in my presence.

"I cannot imagine," said one, "what Ali can see in this little minx to
be so infatuated with her. She is very ugly--her mouth is large--her
teeth are yellow--and her eyes not only have no expression, but look
different ways. She has one shoulder higher than the other, and worse
than all, being dumb, cannot be taught anything but dancing, which only
shows her ugly broad feet."

"That is all true," replied the other. "If I was Ali, I should employ
her as a common slave; she is fit for nothing but to roll up and beat
carpets, boil rice, and prepare our coffee. A little of