fear that I--perhaps
soon--might be no longer the _only_ object of his love.'

'Already jealous, Aliande, on this your bridal night!....'

'Death, rather than a rival!'

'What is your wish of me?' asked Hiorba.

'To relieve me from the torture of uncertainty, I desire a faithful
monitor which shall inform me when Ryno kneels before strange altars,
that I may win back the idol of my heart with redoubled love,
or,--learn to despise and scorn the inconstant.'

'An unfriendly star rules over both you and me,' said Hiorba in a
desponding tone. 'I am convinced that the fulfilment of this wish will
make you most miserable, and yet I am constrained by a power greater
than my own to grant it.'

She stamped upon the floor, and immediately two hideous gnomes appeared
with a time-piece made of the most costly materials, curiously wrought
into the form of a temple of Venus.

'Take this production of magic art,' said Hiorba, 'but conceal it
carefully from your husband, lest in the exasperation of conscious
guilt he should destroy his innocent accuser. This clock will always
stand still, this bell will always remain silent, and this mirror will
reflect only your own features, so long as Ryno remains true to his
vows; but should he ever yield to the common vice of his sex,
voluptuous melodies will issue from the temple, the index will indicate
the time, and the crystal mirror will reflect the image of the favored
rival.'

Aliande was about to express her gratitude, but Hiorba interrupted her.
'Thank me not,--for with this present you receive enduring sorrow and
late repentance. Soon shall I greet you a second time, but then it will
be in tears.' She spoke, and disappeared.

CHAPTER VIII.

Transporting herself to the splendid seven-towered palace of the other
sister, the sorceress entered Daura's chamber and awoke her from her
sweet dreams of happiness with a kiss. Then came the same questions,
and the same protestations of unspeakable happiness; yet the quiet and
contented Daura, also, seemed to have _one_ wish concealed in the
secret recesses of her bosom. After Hiorba's long and tender entreaties
for her confidence, she finally said: 'through repeated and pressing
inquiries of both Ryno and Idallan, I have learned of the exhibition of
savage rage by my husband in the bloody contest for the lost veil,
which Ryno would have resigned for the sake of peace and friendship,
refusing to fig