f the Maronite convent, at Mar Hanna, has often urged on me,
as conclusive evidence of the falseness of Mahomet's mission, that our
Lord Jesus declared that after him "many false prophets should arise,"
and warned his followers.'

'There spoke the Prince of Israel,' said Tancred, 'not the universal
Redeemer. He warned his tribe against the advent of false Messiahs,
no more. Far from terminating by his coming the direct communication
between God and man, his appearance was only the herald of a relation
between the Creator and his creatures more fine, more permanent, and
more express. The inspiring and consoling influence of the Paraclete
only commenced with the ascension of the Divine Son. In this fact,
perhaps, may be found a sufficient reason why no written expression
of the celestial will has subsequently appeared. But, instead of
foreclosing my desire for express communication, it would, on the
contrary, be a circumstance to authorise it.'

'Then how do you know that Mahomet was not inspired?' said Fakredeen.

'Far be it from me to impugn the divine commission of any of the seed
of Abraham,' replied Tancred. 'There are doctors of our church who
recognise the sacred office of Mahomet, though they hold it to be, what
divine commissions, with the great exception, have ever been, limited
and local.'

'God has never spoken to a European?' said Fakredeen, inquiringly.

'Never.'

'But you are a European?'

'And your inference is just,' said Tancred, in an agitated voice, and
with a changing countenance. 'It is one that has for some time haunted
my soul. In England, when I prayed in vain for enlightenment, I at last
induced myself to believe that the Supreme Being would not deign to
reveal His will unless in the land which his presence had rendered holy;
but since I have been a dweller within its borders, and poured forth
my passionate prayers at all its holy places, and received no sign, the
desolating thought has sometimes come over my spirit, that there is
a qualification of blood as well as of locality necessary for this
communion, and that the favoured votary must not only kneel in the Holy
Land but be of the holy race.'

'I am an Arab,' said Fakredeen. 'It is something.'

'If I were an Arab in race as well as in religion,' said Tancred, 'I
would not pass my life in schemes to govern some mountain tribes.'

'I'll tell you,' said the Emir, springing from his divan, and flinging
the tube of his nargileh to the