this reflection one of the Bassa's pages broke into a laugh.
'This fortune comes to us dancing my lord,' said he, 'and the other
leaves us on crutches. Do not be afraid. She will not go very far.'

The Bassa, shocked at his impertinent interference, desired him to leave
the room and not to come back till he was sent for.

'My lord shall be obeyed,' said the page, 'but when I return, it shall
be in such good company that you will welcome me gladly.' So saying, he
went out.

When they were alone, Neangir turned to the fair strangers and implored
their help. 'My brothers and myself,' he cried, 'are filled with love
for three peerless maidens, two of whom are under a cruel spell. If
their fate happened to be in your hands, would you not do all in your
power to restore them to happiness and liberty?'

But the young man's appeal only stirred the two ladies to anger. 'What,'
exclaimed one, 'are the sorrows of lovers to us? Fate has deprived us of
our lovers, and if it depends on us the whole world shall suffer as much
as we do!'

This unexpected reply was heard with amazement by all present, and the
Bassa entreated the speaker to tell them her story. Having obtained
permission of her sister, she began:

The Story of the Fair Circassians

'We were born in Circassia of poor people, and my sister's name is
Tezila and mine Dely. Having nothing but our beauty to help us in life,
we were carefully trained in all the accomplishments that give pleasure.
We were both quick to learn, and from our childhood could play all sorts
of instruments, could sing, and above all could dance. We were besides,
lively and merry, as in spite of our misfortunes we are to this day.

'We were easily pleased and quite content with our lives at home, when
one morning the officials who had been sent to find wives for the
Sultan saw us, and were struck with our beauty. We had always expected
something of the sort, and were resigned to our lot, when we chanced to
see two young men enter our house. The elder, who was about twenty years
of age, had black hair and very bright eyes. The other could not have
been more than fifteen, and was so fair that he might easily have passed
for a girl.

'They knocked at the door with a timid air and begged our parents to
give them shelter, as they had lost their way. After some hesitation
their request was granted, and they were invited into the room in which
we were. And if our parents' hearts were touched