x beautiful children in a room which,
though not imposing in size, glittered with decoration. The ceiling and
walls were rich with tessellated and arabesque work. The floor was
covered with a carpet of cut velvet, with a pattern of the richest and
most brightly-coloured flowers; and this carpet was strewn with costly
jewels, which shone in the variegated light of the stained-glass windows
above like glowing fire-flies. Around the walls were several recesses
or niches, arched in the Moorish horse-shoe style. In one of these was
a glass cabinet, on the shelves of which were some splendid articles of
jewellery. In another recess hung a variety of swords and pistols,
chiefly of Eastern manufacture, their handles and scabbards blazing with
diamonds. Opposite to these stood a gilt four-post European bedstead,
with four mattresses of gold brocade, and curtains of blue tiffany
embroidered with gold sprigs. In fact, the apartment and its occupants
were adorned with so much magnificence that the genie of Aladdin's
famous lamp would not have improved it, for, although that remarkable
personage might have brought unlimited treasure to its decoration, he
would not have found a spare inch anywhere on which to bestow it!

The Sultana and her children were alone, with the exception of
half-a-dozen beautiful Georgian slaves, and one or two negresses, who
attended on them. Of course no gentlemen were present!

"My husband is very fond of yours," said Ashweesha, with a pleasant
smile, leading her guests to a large cushion on the floor, and squatting
them down beside her.

"It gratifies me much to hear you say so," replied Mrs Langley.

They spoke in a jargon of languages, and made up their deficiencies by
signs, of which we dare not attempt a characteristic translation.

"He sent you a new slave-girl lately, I believe?" said the Sultana,
beginning to feel her way.

"Yes," exclaimed the guest with animation, "it was _very_ kind of him;
and I find her _so_ sweet and amiable, and useful too. She assists me
with my dear baby so admirably, as well as with the household, that I
begin already to feel as if I could not get on without her. Do you know
I have set my heart on raising sufficient money to ransom her and set
her free?"

"Then you will only lose her, for she will certainly go home to her
husband," observed Ashweesha, with a look of simplicity.

"Of course; I count on that," returned Mrs Langley. "You know that we
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