ing to assist you.'

"I was touched to the heart by this kindness, especially at such a time
as this. He sent one of his slaves with me to the shop in which you now
see me, gentlemen. The slave, by my brother's directions, brought with
us my china vase, and delivered it safely to me, with this message: 'The
scarlet dye that was found in this vase, and in its fellow, was the first
cause of Saladin's making the fortune he now enjoys: he therefore does no
more than justice in sharing that fortune with his brother Murad.'

"I was now placed in as advantageous a situation as possible; but my mind
was ill at ease when I reflected that the broken mirror might be my
brother's ruin. The lady by whom it had been bespoken was, I well knew,
of a violent temper; and this disappointment was sufficient to provoke
her to vengeance. My brother sent me word this morning, however, that
though her displeasure was excessive, it was in my power to prevent any
ill consequences that might ensue. 'In my power!' I exclaimed; 'then,
indeed, I am happy! Tell my brother there is nothing I will not do to
show him my gratitude and to save him from the consequences of my folly.'

"The slave who was sent by my brother seemed unwilling to name what was
required of me, saying that his master was afraid I should not like to
grant the request. I urged him to speak freely, and he then told me the
favourite declared nothing would make her amends for the loss of the
mirror but the fellow-vase to that which she had bought from Saladin. It
was impossible for me to hesitate; gratitude for my brother's generous
kindness overcame my superstitious obstinacy, and I sent him word I would
carry the vase to him myself.

"I took it down this evening from the shelf on which it stood; it was
covered with dust, and I washed it, but, unluckily, in endeavouring to
clean the inside from the remains of the scarlet powder, I poured hot
water into it, and immediately I heard a simmering noise, and my vase, in
a few instants, burst asunder with a loud explosion. These fragments,
alas! are all that remain. The measure of my misfortunes is now
completed! Can you wonder, gentlemen, that I bewail my evil destiny? Am
I not justly called Murad the Unlucky? Here end all my hopes in this
world! Better would it have been if I had died long ago! Better that I
had never been born! Nothing I ever have done or attempted has
prospered. Murad the Unlucky is my name, and ill-f