e slave-merchant informed
him that the Kislar Aga of the sultan had seen me, and ordered me to be
reserved for the imperial seraglio; by this falsehood screening himself,
not only from Ali's importunities, but also from his vengeance. I took
the advice of my master, and in a little more than a year became a
proficient in music and most other accomplishments; I also learnt to
write and read, and to repeat most of the verses of Hafiz, and other
celebrated poets. At seventeen I was offered to the Kislar Aga as a
prodigy of beauty and talent. The Kislar Aga came to see me, and was
astonished; he saw at once that I should immediately become first
favourite; and having heard me sing and play, he demanded my price,
which was enormous. He reported me to the sultan, stating that he had
never beheld such perfection, and at the same time informing him of the
exorbitant demand of the slave-merchant. The sultan, who had felt little
interest in the inmates of his harem, and was anxious for novelty,
ordered the sum to be paid, and I was conducted to the seraglio in a
royal litter.

That I was anxious to be purchased by the sultan I confess: my pride
rebelled at the idea of being a slave, and if I was to be so, at least I
wished to be the slave of the sultan. I indulged the idea that I should
soon bring him to subjection, and that the slave would lord it over her
master, and that master the dispenser of life and death, honour and
disgrace, to millions. I had made up my mind how to behave; the poets I
had read had taught me but too well. Convinced that a little wilfulness
would, from its novelty, be most likely to captivate one who had been
accustomed to dull and passive obedience, I allowed my natural temper to
be unchecked. The second day after my arrival, the Kislar Aga informed
me that the sultan intended to honour me with a visit, and that the
baths and dresses were prepared. I replied that I had bathed that
morning, and did not intend to bathe again--as for the dresses and
jewels, I did not require them, and that I was ready to receive my lord
the sultan, if he pleased to come. The Kislar Aga opened his eyes with
astonishment at my presumption, but not venturing to use force to one
who, in his opinion, would become the favourite, he returned to the
sultan, reporting to him what had passed. The sultan, as I expected, was
more amused at the novelty than affronted at the want of respect. "Be it
so," replied he; "this Georgian must ha