the slipper on
her mouth would soon bring her to her senses."

I must own that I was near breaking through my resolution, that I might
have indulged my revenge, and had not the door suddenly opened, I should
have proved to them that I could have spoken to some purpose, for never
would I have ceased, until they had both been sewn up in sacks, and cast
into the Bosphorus. But I restrained myself, although my cheeks burned
with rage, and I more than once put my hand to my jewelled dagger.

I was often visited by Osman Ali, who in vain attempted to make me
speak; a harsh guttural sound was all which I would utter to express
pain or pleasure. At last, being convinced that I was dumb, he exchanged
me with a slave-merchant for a beautiful Circassian girl. He did not
state my supposed infirmity, but gave it as a reason for parting with
me, that I was too young, and required to be taught. As soon as the
bargain was struck, and the merchant had received the money which had
been given by Ali to effect the exchange, I was despoiled of my dress
and ornaments, and put in a litter, to be conveyed to the house of the
slave-merchant. As your highness may imagine, not a little tired of
holding my tongue for a year and a half----

* * * * *

"By the beard of the prophet, we can believe you on that point, good
woman. You may proceed."

"Yes, yes, I may proceed. You think women have no resolution, and no
souls--be it so--and what you dignify with the name of perseverance in
your own sex, you call obstinacy in ours. Be it so--time has been."

* * * * *

I was no sooner in the litter than I let loose my tongue, and called out
to the women who were appointed to conduct me to the door of the harem.
"Tell Osman Ali, that now that I am no longer his slave, I have found my
tongue." Then closing the curtains, I was carried away. As soon as I
arrived, I told the merchant all that had passed, and the reason why Ali
had parted with me. The merchant, who was astonished at having made so
good a bargain, laughed heartily at my narrative. He told me that he
intended me for the seraglio of the sultan--flattered me by declaring
that I should be certainly the favourite, and advised me to profit all I
could by the masters he would provide. In the meantime, Osman Ali having
heard from the women the message I had sent, was very wroth, and came to
the slave-merchant to procure me again; but th