r? These arms, which have wound round the
master of the world, and no other, polluted by his gripe."

The sultan clapped his hands, and the Kislar Aga appeared. "Quick,"
exclaimed he, "the heads of the slaves and executioner who inflicted the
punishment." In a minute the Kislar Aga appeared; he perceived how
matters stood, and trembled for his own. He held up the three heads, one
after another, and then returned them to the sack of sawdust in which
they had been brought.

"Are you satisfied now, Zara?"

"For myself, yes--but not for you. Who was it that persuaded you to
descend from your dignity, and lower yourself, by yielding to the
instigations of malice? Who was it that advised the _bastinado_? As a
woman, I am too proud to be jealous of her; but as one who values your
honour, and your reputation, I cannot permit you to have so dangerous a
counsellor. Your virgins, your omras, your princes, will all be at her
mercy; your throne may be overturned by her taking advantage of her
power."

The sultan hesitated.

"Sultan, you have but to choose between two things; if she be alive
to-morrow morning, I am dead by my own hand. You know I never lie."

The sultan clapped his hands, the Kislar Aga again appeared. "_Her_
head," said he, hesitatingly. The Kislar Aga waited a little, to
ascertain if there was no reprieve, for too hasty a compliance with
despots is almost as dangerous as delay. He caught my eye--he saw at
once, that if not her head, it would be his own, and he quitted the
room. In a few minutes he held up by its fair tresses the head of my
beautiful rival; I looked at the distorted features, and was satisfied.
I motioned with my hand, and the Kislar Aga withdrew.

"Now, Zara, do you forgive me? Now do you believe that I sincerely love
you, and have I obtained my pardon?"

"Yes," replied I, "I do, sultan; I forgive you all; and now----I will
permit you to sit by me and bathe my feet."

From that day I resumed my empire with more despotic power than ever. I
insisted that I should refuse his visits when I felt so inclined; and
when I imagined that there was the slightest degree of satiety on his
part, he was certain to be refused admittance for a fortnight. I became
the depositary of his secrets and the mover of his counsels. My sway was
unlimited, and I never abused it. I loved him, and his honour and his
welfare were the only guides to my conduct.

* * * * *

"But your hi