subject.

But he had no idea of abandoning his purpose; in fact, he was already
too deeply involved to be able to do so. His arrangements went on
rapidly; and when all was ripe the Georgian gave information to the
sultan, denouncing me as a party as well as my brother.

One morning as I was sitting in my apartment, arranging on a tray a
present for my lord and master, I was surprised by the abrupt entrance
of the kislar aga, accompanied by guards, who without explanation seized
me, and led me into the presence-chamber, where the sultan and all the
officers of state were assembled. It immediately rushed into my mind
that my brother had deceived me. Pale with anxiety, but at the same
time with a feeling of delight that the plot had been discovered, I
entered the divan, where I beheld my brother in the custody of the
palace guard. He had been seized in the divan, as his popularity was so
great that a few minutes' notice would have enabled him not only to
escape, but to have put his treasonable plans into execution; but he
bore himself with such a haughty air, with his arms folded across his
breast, that I thought he might be innocent; and that he had, as he
promised me, abandoned all thoughts of rebellion.

I turned towards the sultan, who fixed his eyes upon me; his brows were
knit with anger, and he commenced, "Zara, your brother is accused of
treason, which he denies. You, also, are charged with being privy to
his designs. Answer me, do you know any thing of these plots?"

I did not know how to answer this question, and I would not tell a lie.
I did know something about his intentions; but as he had denied the
charge, it was not to be expected that he should be condemned by the
mouth of his only sister. Perhaps he had, as he had promised me,
abandoned his ideas;--perhaps it could not be proved against him. My
answer would have been the signal for his death. I could not give the
answer required; and I replied, "If my brother be found guilty of
rebelling against his sovereign, let him suffer. I, my lord, have never
plotted or rebelled against you."

"Answer my question, Zara. Do you know any thing about this plot? Yes
or no. Say _no_, and I shall believe you."

"Your slave has never plotted against her lord," replied I. "Further I
cannot answer your question."

"Then it is true;--and Zara--even Zara is false!" cried the sultan,
clasping his hands in agony. "O! where can a person in my situation
fin