d at all events,
if I did not join, my interest might save him from his wrath. For some
time he refused to accede to her suggestions; but as she pointed out
that if the plot were discovered, I, as his sister, would certainly
share his fate, and that she well knew that I had never forgiven the
punishment of the bastinado which I had received, and only waited for an
opportunity to revenge myself, he at last consented to make me a party
to his intentions. My brother had been allowed to visit me, and he took
this opportunity of stating to me his schemes. I started from him with
horror, pointed out to him his ingratitude and folly, and entreated him
to abandon his purpose. Convinced that I was firmly attached to the
sultan, he appeared to acquiesce in the justice of my remarks, confessed
that he was wrong, and promised me faithfully to think no more of his
treacherous designs. I believed him to be sincere, and I shed tears of
joy, as I thanked him for having yielded to my entreaties. We separated,
and in a short time I thought no more of the subject.

But he had no idea of abandoning his purpose; in fact, he was already
too deeply involved to be able to do so. His arrangements went on
rapidly; and when all was ripe, the Georgian gave information to the
sultan, denouncing me as a party as well as my brother.

One morning as I was sitting in my apartment, arranging on a tray a
present for my lord and master, I was surprised by the abrupt entrance
of the Kislar Aga, accompanied by guards, who without explanation seized
me, and led me into the presence-chamber, where the sultan and all the
officers of state were assembled. It immediately rushed into my mind
that my brother had deceived me. Pale with anxiety, but at the same time
with a feeling of delight that the plot had been discovered, I entered
the divan, where I beheld my brother in the custody of the palace-guard.
He had been seized in the divan, as his popularity was so great, that a
few minutes' notice would have enabled him not only to escape, but to
have put his treasonable plans into execution; but he bore himself with
such a haughty air, with his arms folded across his breast, that I
thought he might be innocent; and that he had, as he promised me,
abandoned all thoughts of rebellion.

I turned towards the sultan, who fixed his eyes upon me; his brows were
knit with anger, and he commenced, "Zara, your brother is accused of
treason, which he denies. You, also, are