otherwise I had dreamed of ending this day, which has been for
the most part spent in preparations for the flight of the Sisters; and
I have found a pleasure in doing all that lay in my power for those kind
and innocent, unjustly persecuted nuns. We must hope for the best
for them; and for ourselves we must look to-morrow for an undisturbed
interview and a parting which may leave us memories on which we can
live for a long time. The noble governor Amru is, among the Arabs, such
another as he whom we mourn was among the Egyptians..." Here the letter
ended; not quite three lines were wanting to conclude it.

The Kadi held the tablets for a few minutes in his hand; then looking
up again at the assembly, who were waiting in great suspense, he began:
"Even if the accused was not one of those who raised their hands in
mutiny against our armed troops, it is nevertheless indisputable, after
what has just been read, that he not only knew of the escape of
the nuns, but aided them to the utmost.--When did you receive this
communication, noble maiden?"

At this Paula clasped her hands tightly and replied with a slightly bent
head and her eyes fixed on the ground.

"When did I receive it?--Never; for I wrote it myself. The writing is
mine."

"Yours?" said the Kadi in amazement. "It is from me to Orion," replied
Paula.

"From you to him? How then comes it in your desk?"

"In a very simple way," she explained, still looking down. "After
writing the letter to my betrothed I threw it in with the other tablets
as soon as I had no need for it; for he himself came, and there was no
necessity for his reading what could be better said by word of mouth."

As she spoke a peculiar smile passed over her lips and a loud murmur ran
through the room. Orion looked first at the girl and then at the Kadi in
growing bewilderment; but the Negro started up, struck his fist on the
table, making it shake, and roared out:

"An atrocious fabrication! Which of you can allow yourself to be taken
in by a woman's guile?" Horapollo, who had recovered himself by this
time, laughed hoarsely and maliciously; the judges looked at each other
much puzzled; but when the Vekeel went on raging the Kadi interrupted
him, and desired that Orion might speak, for he had twice tried to make
himself heard. Now, with scarlet cheeks and a choking utterance, he
said:

"No, Othman--no, no indeed, my lords. Do not believe her. Not she, but
I--I wrote the letter that...."