claimed the pacha--"a woman hold
her tongue for eighteen months! Who is to believe this?"

"Not at all wonderful," replied the old woman, "when you recollect that
she was required to speak."

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

Once, and once only, did I nearly break through my resolution. Two of
the principal favourites were conversing in my presence.

"I cannot imagine," said one, "what Ali can see in this little minx to
be so infatuated with her. She is very ugly--her mouth is large--her
teeth are yellow--and her eyes not only have no expression, but look
different ways. She has one shoulder higher than the other, and worse
than all, being dumb, cannot be taught any thing but dancing, which only
shows her ugly broad feet."

"That is all true," replied the other. "If I was Ali, I should employ
her as a common slave; she is fit for nothing but to roll up and beat
carpets, boil rice, and prepare our coffee. A little of the slipper on
her mouth would soon bring her to her senses."

I must own that I was near breaking through my resolution that I might
have indulged my revenge, and had not the door suddenly opened, I should
have proved to them, that I could have spoken to some purpose, for never
would I have ceased, until they had both been sewn up in sacks, and cast
into the Bosphorus. But I restrained myself, although my cheeks burned
with rage, and I more than once put my hand to my jewelled dagger.

I was often visited by Osman Ali, who in vain attempted to make me
speak; a harsh guttural sound was all which I would utter to express
pain or pleasure. At last, being convinced that I was dumb, he
exchanged me with a slave-merchant for a beautiful Circassian girl. He
did not state my supposed infirmity, but gave it as his reason for
parting with me, that I was too young, and required to be taught. As
soon as the bargain was struck, and the merchant had received the money
which had been given by Ali to effect the exchange, I was despoiled of
my dress and ornaments, and put in a litter, to be conveyed to the house
of the slave-merchant. As your highness may imagine, not a little tired
of holding my tongue for a year and a half--

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

"By the beard of the Prophet, we can believe you on that point, good
woman. You may proceed."

"Yes, yes, I may proceed. You think women have no resolution, and no