ce that I please, and to cut off his insolent head
if so disposed."

"That is so far well," said Ashweesha, letting her delicate
henna-stained fingers play idly with the gorgeous pearls which fell like
a lustrous fountain from her neck, "but it is possible that he may
reflect on the propriety of trying to secure, at no distant date, a
master who will reward him more liberally without conveying covert
threats. But much good," she hastened to add, observing that her lord
did not much relish her last remark, "much good may result from his
being placed under the British consul's roof; for the consul's wife is a
wise woman, and may help us to discover some of his plots; for plotting
he is certain to be, whether in the city or out of it, and you may be
sure that a clever woman like Madame Langley will have her eyes open to
all that goes on in her own palace."

"Nay, then, Ashweesha," returned the Dey, laughing, "thou hast studied
the lady to small profit if thou dost believe her capable of acting the
part of a spy on her own domestics."

"And thou hast studied thy wife to small profit," retorted Ashweesha
playfully, "if you think I could make such a mistake as to ask her to
become a spy. Does not all the city know that Madame Langley has over
and over again refused the most costly bribes offered to induce her to
use her influence with her husband? and is it not also well-known that
if her influence is to be gained at all, it must be by touching her
heart? She is so open, too, in her conduct, that her domestics know all
she does. Did I not tell you, the other night, how the chief from
Marocco offered her a splendid diamond ring to induce her to intreat her
husband's favour in something--I know not what,--and how she flushed
with indignation as she refused it, and told the chief that all the
diamonds in the world could not move her to attempt the leading of her
husband from the path of duty? No, I will not ask her to become a spy,
but I will lead her, in conversation, to tell me all she knows, or at
least is willing to communicate, about Sidi Hassan; and perchance some
good may come of it."

"It may be so," said the Dey; "and where and when dost thou propose to
meet with her?"

"Here, and to-morrow."

"How! in the palace?"

"Yes. Ask her and her little girl to come and dine with me," said
Ashweesha.

"That would be a high compliment," returned the Dey dubiously; "such as
has never been paid before, methinks, by