my convulsions.
But during this state, which by habit soon became spasmodic, continuing
until the vital functions were almost extinct, the mind was as active as
ever, and I lay immersed in a sea of doubt which was most painful. In
my state of exhaustion I doubted every thing. I doubted if my
convulsions were convulsions, or only feigned; I doubted if I was asleep
or awake; I doubted whether I was in a trance, or in another world, or
dead, or--

------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Friend Hudusi," interrupted Mustapha, "we want the facts of your story,
and not your doubts. Say I not well, your highness? What is all this
but bosh--nothing?"

"It is well said," replied the pacha.

"Sometimes I thought that I had seized possession of a fact, but it
slipped through my fingers like the tail of an eel."

"Let us have the facts, which did not escape thee, friend, and let the
mists of doubt be cleared away before the glory of the pacha," replied
Mustapha.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

One day I was sitting in the warmth of the sun, by the tomb of a true
believer, when an old woman accosted me.

"You are welcome," said I.

"Is your humour good?" said she.

"It is good," replied I.

She sat down by me; and, after a quarter of an hour, she continued: "God
is great," said she.

"And Mahomet is his Prophet," replied I. "In the name of Allah, what do
you wish?"

"Where is the holy man? I have money to give into his charge. May I
not see him?"

"He is at his devotions but what is that? Am not I the same? Do I not
watch when he prayeth--Inshallah--please God we are the same. Give me
the bag."

"Here it is," said she, pulling out the money; "seven hundred sequins,
my daughter's marriage portion; but there are bad men, who steal, and
there are good men, whom we can trust. Say I not well?"

"It is well said," replied I, "and God is great."

"You will find the money right," said she. "Count it."

I counted it, and returned it into the goat's-skin bag. "It is all
right. Leave me, woman, for I must go in."

The old woman left me, returning thanks to Allah that her money was
safe; but from certain ideas running in my mind, I very _much doubted
the fact_. I sat down full of doubt. I doubted if the old woman had
come honestly by the money; and whether I should give it to the head
dervish. I doubted whether I ought to reta