charged with being privy to his
designs. Answer me, do you know anything of these plots?"

I did not know how to answer this question, and I would not tell a lie.
I did know something about his intentions; but as he had denied the
charge, it was not to be expected that he should be condemned by the
mouth of his only sister. Perhaps he had, as he had promised me,
abandoned his ideas;--perhaps it could not be proved against him. My
answer would have been the signal for his death. I could not give the
answer required, and I replied, "If my brother be found guilty of
rebelling against his sovereign, let him suffer. I, my lord, have never
plotted or rebelled against you."

"Answer my question, Zara. Do you know anything about this plot? Yes or
no. Say _no_, and I shall believe you."

"Your slave has never plotted against her lord," replied I. "Further I
cannot answer your question."

"Then it is true;--and Zara--even Zara is false!" cried the sultan,
clasping his hands in agony. "O! where can a person in my situation find
one who is faithful and true, when Zara, even Zara is false?"

"No--no, my lord," cried I, bursting into tears; "Zara is true;--always
has been, always will be, true. _That_ I can boldly answer--but do not
press the other question."

The sultan looked at me for a short time, and then consulted with the
viziers and others, who stood by the throne with their arms folded. The
chief vizier replied, "Those who know of treason, and conceal it, are
participators in the crime."

"True--most true. Zara, for the last time I ask you, what do you know of
this intended insurrection? I must be trifled with no longer. A plain
answer, or----"

"I cannot answer that question, my lord."

"Zara, as you value your life, answer me immediately," cried the sultan,
with violence;--but I answered not.

Twice more did the forbearance and love of the sultan induce him to
repeat the question; but I remained silent.

He waved his hands, I was seized by the mutes, and the bowstring
encircled my neck. All was ready, they awaited but the last signal to
tighten the fatal cord.

"Once more, Zara, will you answer; or brave me to your destruction?"

"Sultan, I will at least speak to you before I die. I only wish to
declare my fidelity and my love to you in my last moments, to tell you
that I forgive you for that which, when the truth is known, you will
never forgive yourself. One moment more. Let me remove this jewelled
chain