ing,
made his obeisance, and presented Augustus to the astonished Maria.

"I have saved him!" was all he said.

The joy of Maria was extreme. It was soon, however, followed by a
painful embarrassment. Amongst all parties there was a sad conflict of
feeling. Augustus would have given worlds to have thrown himself at
the feet of Maria; but if the memory of what had occurred had not been
sufficient, there stood her father in person before him--the author of
his own father's death.

Hakem broke the silence. "Beautiful being!" he said, kneeling on one
knee before Maria, "whom I have in secret worshipped, whom alone to
worship I have lingered here in the guise and office of a slave--you
bade me save _him_--and I have! Is there any thing further for thy
happiness which the Arab can accomplish?"

"No, Hakem, and I feel already overburdened with gratitude for this
service you have rendered me--_how_ rendered I cannot as yet divine.
There is no other service now I think that any one can render me." As
she spoke, her eye had already turned to the spot where Augustus,
hesitating to approach or to retreat, was still standing.

"No other service! But, by the living God, there is!" cried Hakem,
starting to his feet. His countenance flushed with sudden excitement;
his eye kindled with some generous sentiment. "Hear me, gentle sir,"
he said, addressing himself to Augustus. "Nature calls for
vengeance--is it not so? Christian and Mahometan, we all resemble in
this. Blood cries for blood. But the hand that slew your father--it
was mine. I am the first and direct object of your resentment. Let now
one victim suffice. Is the Arab too ignoble a victim? That Arab is the
preserver of your life, at what cost you may one day learn. Let this
enhance the value of the sacrifice. Over my blood let peace be made
between you." Turning once more, and bowing with deep emotion before
Maria, he then, with a movement quick as thought, plunged a poniard in
his bosom, and fell to the ground. "Go, tell the queen," he said to
the officer of justice, who had stood a mute spectator of this
scene--"tell her what you have witnessed; and add, that my promise has
been fulfilled. And you, Augustus Glinski--will not this suffice? The
assassin of the duke lies here before you. Oh, take her by the hand!"
Then, looking his last towards Maria, he murmured--"And I,
too--loved!" and closed his eyes in death.

The prayer of Hakem was granted. It was impossible to dema