and this so enraged us against the
dervish that we cut off his beard when he was asleep, and now he dare
not show himself.'

'Ah,' exclaimed the page, 'it is not fitting that such beauty should
waste itself in making other people miserable. Forget the unhappy past
and think only of the future. And accept, I pray you, this watch, to
mark the brighter hours in store.' So saying he laid the watch upon her
knee. Then he turned to Tezila. 'And you, fair maiden, permit me to
offer you this other watch. True it is only of silver, but it is all I
have left to give. And I feel quite sure that you must have somewhere a
silver seal, that will be exactly the thing to go with it.'

'Why, so you have,' cried Dely; 'fasten your silver seal to your watch,
and I will hang my gold one on to mine.'

The seals were produced, and, as Azemi had guessed, they were the
talismans which the two Circassians had taken from Izif and Izouf,
mounted in gold and silver. As quick as lightning the watches slid from
the hands of Tezila and her sister, and Aurora and Argentine stood
before them, each with her talisman on her finger.

At first they seemed rather confused themselves at the change which had
taken place, and the sunlight which they had not seen for so long, but
when gradually they understood that their enchantment had come to an
end, they could find no words to express their happiness.

The Circassians could with difficulty be comforted for the loss of the
talismans, but Aurora and Argentine entreated them to dry their tears,
as their father, Siroco, who was governor of Alexandria, would not fail
to reward them in any manner they wished. This promise was soon
confirmed by Siroco himself, who came into the garden with the Bassa and
his two sons, and was speedily joined by the ladies of the family. Only
Hassan was absent. It was the hour in which he was condemned to bewail
his ebony hand.

To the surprise of all a noise was at this moment heard in a corner of
the terrace, and Hassan himself appeared surrounded by slaves, clapping
his hands and shouting with joy. 'I was weeping as usual,' cried he,
'when all at once the tears refused to come to my eyes, and on looking
down at my hand I saw that its blackness had vanished. And now, lovely
Zelida, nothing prevents me any longer from offering you the hand, when
the heart has been yours always.'

But though Hassan never thought of asking or caring what had caused his
cure, the others were by