became a follower
of Mahomet, after which he was free, and practised for himself. He took
a wife from an Arab family, the daughter of a chief whom he had restored
to health, and he settled in the country. I was born; he amassed
wealth, and became much celebrated; but the son of a Bey dying under his
hands was the excuse for persecuting him. His head was forfeited, but
he escaped; not, however, without the loss of all his beloved wealth.
My Mother and I went with him; he fled to the Bedouins, with whom we
remained some years. There I was accustomed to rapid marches, wild and
fierce attacks, defeat and flight, and oftentimes to indiscriminate
slaughter. But the Bedouins paid not well for my father's services, and
gold was his idol. Hearing that the Bey was dead, he returned to Cairo,
where he again practised. He was allowed once more to amass until the
heap was sufficient to excite the cupidity of the new Bey; but this time
he was fortunately made acquainted with the intentions of the ruler. He
again escaped, with a portion of his wealth, in a small vessel, and
gained the Spanish coast; but he never has been able to retain his money
long. Before he arrived in this country he had been robbed of almost
all, and has now been for these three years laying up again. We were
but one year at Middleburg, and from thence removed to this place. Such
is the history of my life, Philip."

"And does your father still hold the Mahomedan faith, Amine?"

"I know not. I think he holds no faith whatever: at least he hath
taught me none. His god is gold."

"And yours?"

"Is the God who made this beautiful world, and all which it contains--
the God of nature--name him as you will. This I feel, Philip, but more
I fain would know; there are so many faiths, but surely they must be but
different paths leading alike to heaven. Yours is the Christian faith,
Philip. Is it the true one? But every one calls his own the true one,
whatever his creed may be."

"It is the true and only one, Amine. Could I but reveal--I have such
dreadful proofs--"

"That your own faith is true: then is it not your duty to reveal these
proofs? Tell me, are you bound by any solemn obligations never to
reveal?"

"No, I am not; yet do I feel as if I were. But I hear voices--it must
be your father and the authorities--I must go down and meet them."

Philip rose and went down stairs. Amine's eyes followed him as he went
and she remained looking to