the
seraglio, whose novelty and beauty might seduce the sultan from my arms.
Instead of counterplotting, as I might have done, I was pleased at
their frustrated efforts. Had I demanded the woolly head of the one,
and poisoned the other, I had done wisely. I only wish I had them now--
but I was a fool--it cannot be helped--but time has been.

Like most of the sex, the ruling passion of the sultan was vanity, a
disease which shows itself in a thousand different shapes. He was
peculiarly proud of his person, and with reason, for it was faultless,
with one little exception, which I had discovered, a wen, about the size
of a pigeon's egg, under the left arm. I had never mentioned to him
that I was aware of it; but a circumstance occurred which annoyed me,
and I forgot my discretion.

The kislar aga had at last discovered a Circassian slave, who, he
thought, would effect the purpose. She was beautiful, and I had already
engrossed the sultan's attentions for more than two years. Men will be
fickle, and I expected no otherwise. What I required was the dominion
over the mind; I cared little about the sultan's attentions to other
women. Like the tamed bird which flies from its cage, and after
wandering a short time, is glad to return to its home and re-assume its
perch, so did I consider it would be the case with the sultan. I never,
therefore, wearied him with tears or reproaches, but won him back with
smiles and good-humour. I expected that this new face would detach him
for a short time, and for a fortnight he never came into my apartment.
He had never been away so long before, and I was rather uneasy. He
visited me one morning, and I asked him to sup with me. He consented,
and I invited three or four of the most beautiful women of the seraglio,
as well as the lady of his new attachment, to meet him. I thought it
wise so to do, to prove to him that I was not displeased, and trusting
that the Circassian might suffer when in company with others of equal
charms, who from neglect might reassume their novelty. The Circassian
was undeniably most beautiful; but, without vanity, she was by no means
to be compared to me; she had the advantage of novelty, and I hoped no
more, for I felt what a dangerous rival she might prove if her wit and
talents were equal to her personal charms. The sultan came, and I
exerted myself to please, but, to my mortification, I was neglected; all
his attentions and thoughts were only for my