n the carved marble she would look upon a distant scene, which
could well have illustrated some Eastern fable.

Either the great camel would stalk slowly, solemnly out of the night,
kneeling at a word; or a pure bred Arabian horse would rush swiftly
through the palm belt, its speed unchecked as its master threw himself
from the saddle.

She could even distinguish a murmured conversation between the eunuch
and his master, guessing that he was inquiring as to her welfare, and
issuing orders for her comfort, before passing out of sight to his own
dwelling, she imagined, though she would rather have died than have
asked one question of those around her.

She craved for the nights when he would send to inquire if she would
ride, often from sheer contrariness denying herself the exercise she
longed for.

In fact, feeling the mystery of love germinating within her, she showed
herself rebellious and contrary, and infinitely sweet, surpassing in
all things the ways of women; who, since the beginning of all time,
have plagued the man into whose keeping their heart is slowly but
surely slipping.

And as the shadows fell, so did the pucker of discontent deepen, and a
tiny blue-grey marmoset sprang to the top of the piano, chattering
shrilly, when a book swished viciously across the floor, and a
diminutive gazelle, standing on reed-pipe legs, blinked its soft eyes,
and whisked its apology of a tail when a henna-tipped finger tapped its
soft nose over sharply, before the girl clapped her hands to summon her
body-woman, who, as silently as a wraith, slipped into the room.

"Light all the lamps and come and tell me the news."

The little woman obeyed, and came to kneel beside the girl, gazing up
at the fair white face with positive worship in her eyes.

"Great is the news, O! mistress."

"Tell it."

The words were sharp, and the faintest shadow of a smile glinted for a
moment in the native's eyes.

"Behold, O! beautiful flower! Unto us, the slaves of our great master,
under whose feet we are but as dust, it has been told that he upon whom
may Allah's greatest blessings fall, is about to take unto himself a
wife."

Silence! Save for a little breath indrawn too quickly.

"Well, proceed with the wonderful news!" The words were icy, but a
smile flickered for a moment across the native's face, and was gone.

"Behold has he, the greatest man in Egypt and Arabia, before whom all
are but shadows, and unto whom is offered t