al
sound.

"What noise is that?" asked the youth.

"I heard nothing," replied his companion; "nor do I think there was
any. It is your imagination only that fancies it."

Whereupon she went on playing; but she had only proceeded a few
minutes, when the Prince started a second time.

"There it is again!" said he. "Did you not hear it?"

"I heard nothing," answered Perizide, "but the sound of music and the
merry voices of hundreds of happy guests. It must be your imagination,
Prince, as I said before, and nothing else."

"Perhaps it is," returned the youth, striking his forehead. "You must
pardon me, fair lady: I have lately passed through many trying scenes,
and I fear my nerves are none of the strongest."

Perizide thereupon resumed her lute, but she had not proceeded very
long, when her guest again cried out,

"Oh!" said he, "tell me not that this is imagination! I heard it most
distinctly. Explain to me I pray, what it means."

"Oh," replied the young lady, laughing, "that is Boulak, our black
porter. He is a great pet and a privileged character; he gets drowsy
sometimes, and often yawns, and that was the sound you just heard."

"Good Heavens!" said Azgid, "what lungs he must have, to make such a
yawn as that!"

Perizide made no reply except a smile, but went on playing the lute,
when, having finished, the Prince complimented her highly for her
performance. It was by this time pretty late, and the guests gradually
retired; Perizide also went to her chamber, and the Prince and the
Emir were left alone.

They passed nearly an hour smoking and conversing very pleasantly,
till at length the host rose up, and telling his guest it was
bed-time, took him by the hand to lead him to his chamber. They
proceeded to the hall, and soon reached the great staircase, which was
of white marble, with a handsome balustrade on each side. When they
came to the foot of it, Azgid gazed for a moment admiring its beauty;
but what was his horror, when, on looking up, he spied a black lion of
immense size lying stretched on the topmost landing. He trembled and
turned pale.

"What is that?" said he, pointing with his finger.

"Oh," returned the Emir, "that is Boulak, our black porter. He is
tame, and will not hurt you if you are not afraid of him; but he can
tell when any one fears him, and then he becomes ferocious."

"I fear him," whispered the Prince, "and fear him greatly."

"You must cast aside your fear, my son," repli