on her face a
dew of the essence of roses; a soft symphony resounded through the grot;
on the sides of the cistern she noticed appendages of royalty, diadems,
and feathers of the heron, all sparkling with carbuncles; whilst her
attention was fixed on this display of magnificence, the music ceased,
and a voice instantly demanded:

"For what monarch were these torches kindled, this bath prepared, and
these habiliments, which belong, not only to the sovereigns of the earth,
but even to the Talismanic Powers?"

To which a second voice answered: "They are for the charming daughter of
the Emir Fakreddin."

"What," replied the first, "for that trifler, who consumes her time with
a giddy child, immersed in softness, and who at best can make but an
enervated husband?"

"And can she," rejoined the other voice, "be amused with such empty
trifles, whilst the Caliph, the sovereign of the world, he who is
destined to enjoy the treasures of the pre-adamite Sultans, a prince six
feet high, and whose eyes pervade the inmost soul of a female, is
inflamed with the love of her. No! she will be wise enough to answer
that passion alone that can aggrandise her glory; no doubt she will, and
despise the puppet of her fancy. Then all the riches this place
contains, as well as the carbuncle of Giamschid, shall be hers."

"You judge right," returned the first voice, "and I haste to Istakar to
prepare the palace of subterranean fire for the reception of the bridal
pair."

The voices ceased, the torches were extinguished, the most entire
darkness succeeded, and Nouronihar, recovering with a start, found
herself reclined on a sofa in the harem of her father. She clapped her
hands, and immediately came together Gulchenrouz and her women, who, in
despair at having lost her, had despatched eunuchs to seek her in every
direction; Shaban appeared with the rest, and began to reprimand her with
an air of consequence:

"Little impertinent," said he, "whence got you false keys? or are you
beloved of some Genius that hath given you a pick-lock? I will try the
extent of your power; come, to your chamber! through the two skylights;
and expect not the company of Gulchenrouz; be expeditious! I will shut
you up in the double tower."

At these menaces Nouronihar indignantly raised her head, opened on Shaban
her black eyes, which, since the important dialogue of the enchanted
grot, were considerably enlarged, and said: "Go, speak thus to slaves,
but