to be succeeded by the fatal blow.

"Strike, pacha, strike!" cried the old woman scornfully. "I shall only
lose a life of which I have long been weary; but you will lose a story
of wonder, which you are so anxious to obtain. Strike--for the last
time, I say, `Time has been'--before time shall be no more!"

"That is true, Mustapha," observed the pacha. "I forgot the story.
What an obstinate old devil; but I must hear the story."

"If it appears good to your absolute wisdom," said Mustapha in a low
voice, "would it not he better to count down to this avaricious old hag
the twenty pieces of gold which she demands? When her story is ended,
it will be easy to take them from her, and her head from her shoulders.
Thus will be satisfied the demands of the old woman, and the demands of
justice."

"Wallah thaib! it is well said, by Allah! Your words are as pearls.
Count out the money, Mustapha."

"His highness the pacha has been pleased, in consideration of the fear
and trembling with which you have entered his presence, to order that
the sum which you require shall be paid down," said Mustapha, pulling
out his purse from his girdle. "Murakkas, you are dismissed," continued
the vizier to the executioner, who let go the old woman, and
disappeared. Mustapha counted out the twenty pieces of gold, and shoved
them towards the old woman, who after some demur, as if imagining that
they ought to have been brought to her, got up and took possession of
them. She counted them over, and returned one piece as being of light
weight. Mustapha, with a grimace, but without speaking, exchanged it
for another.

"By the beard of the Prophet!" muttered the pacha; "but never mind."

The old woman took out a piece of dirty rag, wrapped up the gold pieces,
and placing them in her vest, smoothed down her sordid garments, and
then commenced as follows:--

"Pacha, I have not always lived in a hovel. These eyes were not always
bleared and dim, nor this skin wrinkled and discoloured. I have not
always been covered with these filthy rags--nor have I always wanted or
coveted the gold which you have just now bestowed upon me. I have lived
in palaces--I have commanded there. I have been robed in gold--I have
been covered with jewels. I have dispensed life and death--I have given
away provinces. Pachas have trembled at my frown--have received by my
orders the bowstring--for at one time I was the favourite of the grand
sultan. Time has bee