has become of
them? Have they perished? have they been ordered back--to where--to
heaven? If to heaven--the world and mankind have been left to the mercy
of the devil and his agents. Do you suppose that we, poor mortals, have
been thus abandoned? I tell you plainly, I think not. We no longer
have the communications with those intelligences that we once had,
because, as we become more enlightened, we become more proud, and seek
them not: but that they still exist--a host of good against a host of
evil, invisibly opposing each other--is my conviction. But, tell me,
Philip, do you in your conscience believe that all that has been
revealed to you is a mere dream of the imagination?"

"I do not believe so, Amine: you know well I wish I could."

"Then is my reasoning proved; for if such communications can be made to
you, why cannot others? You cannot tell by what agency; your priests
say it is that of the evil one; you think it is from on high. By the
same rule who is to decide from whence the dream shall come?"

"'Tis true, Amine, but are you certain of your power?"

"Certain of this; but if it pleases superior intelligence to communicate
with you, _that_ communication may be relied upon. Either you will not
dream, but pass away the hours in deep sleep, or what you dream will be
connected with the question at issue."

"Then, Amine, I have made my mind up--I will dream: for at present my
mind is racked by contending and perplexing doubts. I would know
whether I am right or wrong. This night your art shall be employed."

"Not this night, nor yet to-morrow night, Philip. Think you one moment
that, in proposing this, I serve you against my own wishes? I feel as
if the dream will decide against me, and that you will be commanded to
return to your duty; for I tell you honestly, I think not with the
priests; but I am your wife, Philip, and it is my duty that you should
not be deceived. Having the means, as I suppose, to decide your
conduct, I offer them. Promise me that, if I do this, you will grant me
a favour which I shall ask as my reward."

"It is promised, Amine, without its being known," replied Philip, rising
from the turf; "and now let us go home."

We observed that Philip, previous to his sailing in the Batavia, had
invested a large proportion of his funds in Dutch East India stock: the
interest of the money was more than sufficient for the wants of Amine,
and, on his return, he found that the funds