s the chiefest word inscribed upon the
heart of a wise king, as I have counselled ever. Yet, this once,
seeing that this maiden is wholly unlike all other women, it might be
well to let her bask in the rays of glory rather than turn her
unsatisfied away----.' The Vizier paused expectantly. The Sultan
remained looking down, toying with the pearl and turquoise sheath of
the dagger stuck in his girdle. 'A strange tale,' he said at last, 'it
interests me not, although I feel an unknown Power that forces me to
listen to thy words. Her name?' he suddenly demanded, lifting his eyes
once more to his Minister's face.

'She gives it not,' returned the other, 'speaketh of herself as but a
Messenger, repeating ever, "Not I, but His Word." Yet my interpreter,
having caused enquiries to be made, findeth that those with whom she
lodgeth in the city do speak of her as Maree. Also, some peasants who
found her wandering on the mountains when the moon was full, and
brought her hither, speak of her by the name of Miriam. Marvelling at
the whiteness of her skin, they deem she is a witch or Moon Maiden
come hither by enchantment. Yet must she on no account be hurt or
disregarded, they say, since she is wholly guileless of evil spells,
and under the special protection of Issa Ben Miriam, seeing that she
beareth his mother's name.'

The Sultan was growing impatient. 'A fit tale for ignorant peasants,'
he declared. 'Me it doth not deceive. This is but another English
vagabond sent hither by that old jackal Sir Thomas Bendish, their
Ambassador at Constantinople, to dog my footsteps even here, and
report my doings to him. I will not see her, were she ten times a
witch, since she is of his nation and surely comes at his behest.'

'Let my lord slay his servant with his own hands rather than with his
distrust,' returned the Grand Vizier. 'Had she come from Sir Thomas
Bendish, or by his orders, straightway to him she should have
returned. She hath never even seen him, nor so much as set eyes on our
sacred city beside the Golden Horn. Had she gazed even from a distance
upon the most holy Mosque of the Sacred Wisdom at Constantinople, she
had surely been less utterly astonished at the sight of even our noble
Sultan Selim in this city.' So saying, the Grand Vizier turned to the
entrance of the pavilion, and gazed towards the town of Adrianople
lying in the plain beneath, beyond the poplar-bordered stream of the
Maritza. High above all other buildings