Moizes, Zelida appeared, accompanied by
a whole train of slaves and her old nurse. At her entrance Hassan,
beside himself with joy, flung himself on his knees and kissed her hand.

'My lord,' he said to the Bassa, 'pardon me these transports. No elixir
of love was needed to inflame my heart! Let the marriage rite make us
speedily one.'

'My son, are you mad?' asked the Bassa. 'As long as the misfortunes of
your brothers last, shall you alone be happy. And whoever heard of a
bridegroom with a black hand? Wait yet a little longer, till the black
pig is drowned in the sea.'

'Yes! dear Hassan,' said Zelida, 'our happiness will be increased
tenfold when my sisters have regained their proper shapes. And here is
the elixir which I have brought with me, so that their joy may equal
ours.' And she held out the flask to the Bassa, who had it closed in his
presence.

Zambac was filled with joy at the sight of Zelida, and embraced her with
delight. Then she led the way into the garden, and invited all her
friends to seat themselves under the thick overhanging branches of a
splendid jessamine tree. No sooner, however, were they comfortably
settled, than they were astonished to hear a man's voice, speaking
angrily on the other side of the wall.

'Ungrateful girls!' it said, 'is this the way you treat me? Let me hide
myself for ever! This cave is no longer dark enough or deep enough for
me.'

A burst of laughter was the only answer, and the voice continued, 'What
have I done to earn such contempt? Was this what you promised me when I
managed to get for you the talismans of beauty? Is this the reward I
have a right to expect when I have bestowed on you the little black pig,
who is certain to bring you good luck?'

At these words the curiosity of the listeners passed all bounds, and the
Bassa commanded his slaves instantly to tear down the wall. It was done,
but the man was nowhere to be seen, and there were only two girls of
extraordinary beauty, who seemed quite at their ease, and came dancing
gaily on to the terrace. With them was an old slave in whom the Bassa
recognised Gouloucou, the former guardian of Neangir.

[Illustration: THE CIRCASSIANS DANCE INTO THE BASSA'S GARDEN]

Gouloucou shrank with fear when he saw the Bassa, as he expected nothing
less than death at his hands for allowing Neangir to be snatched away.
But the Bassa made him signs of forgiveness, and asked him how he had
escaped death when he had thrown him