s; but in any case you will understand, once for
all, that all relations between us must cease."

"Papa," said Sylvia, tremulously, "Horace and I have already agreed
that--that we must separate."

"At my bidding," explained Fakrash, suavely; "for such an alliance would
be totally unworthy of his merits and condition."

This frankness was rather too much for the Professor, whose temper had
not been improved by his recent trials.

"Nobody asked for your opinion, sir!" he snapped. "A person who has only
recently been released from a term of long and, from all I have been
able to ascertain, well-deserved imprisonment, is scarcely entitled to
pose as an authority on social rank. Have the decency not to interfere
again with my domestic affairs."

"Excellent is the saying," remarked the imperturbable Jinnee, "'Let the
rat that is between the paws of the leopard observe rigidly all the
rules of politeness and refrain from words of provocation.' For to
return thee to the form of a mule once more would be no difficult
undertaking."

"I think I failed to make myself clear," the Professor hastened to
observe--"failed to make myself clear. I--I merely meant to congratulate
you on your fortunate escape from the consequences of what I--I don't
doubt was an error of justice. I--I am sure that, in the future, you
will employ your--your very remarkable abilities to better purpose, and
I would suggest that the greatest service you can do this unfortunate
young man here is to abstain from any further attempts to promote his
interests."

"Hear, hear!" Horace could not help throwing in, though in so discreet
an undertone that it was inaudible.

"Far be this from me," replied Fakrash. "For he has become unto me even
as a favourite son, whom I design to place upon the golden pinnacle of
felicity. Therefore, I have chosen for him a wife, who is unto this
damsel of thine as the full moon to the glow-worm, and as the bird of
Paradise to an unfledged sparrow. And the nuptials shall be celebrated
before many hours."

"Horace!" cried Sylvia, justly incensed, "why--_why_ didn't you tell me
this before?"

"Because," said the unhappy Horace, "this is the very first I've heard
of it. He's always springing some fresh surprise on me," he added, in a
whisper--"but they never come to anything much. And he can't marry me
against my will, you know."

"No," said Sylvia, biting her lip. "I never supposed he could do that,
Horace."

"I'll settle