in silence for some moments; and
when at length he spoke it was with a cold and sarcastic tone.

"Pretender to the dark secrets," said he, "is it in the stars that
thou art reading those destinies of men and nations, which the Prophet
wrought by the chieftain's brain and the soldier's arm?"

"Prince," replied Almamen, turning slowly, and recognising the intruder
on his meditations, "I was but considering how many revolutions,
which have shaken earth to its centre, those orbs have witnessed,
unsympathising and unchanged."

"Unsympathising!" repeated the Moor--"yet thou believest in their effect
upon the earth?"

"You wrong me," answered Almamen, with a slight smile, "you confound
your servant with that vain race, the astrologers."

"I deemed astrology a part of the science of the two angels, Harut and
Marut."

[The science of magic. It was taught by the Angels named in the
text; for which offence they are still supposed to be confined to
the ancient Babel. There they may yet be consulted, though they are
rarely seen.--Yallal'odir Yahya.
--SALE'S Koran.]

"Possibly; but I know not that science, though I have wandered at
midnight by the ancient Babel."

"Fame lies to us, then," answered the Moor, with some surprise.

"Fame never made pretence to truth," said Almamen, calmly, and
proceeding on his way. "Allah be with you, prince! I seek the king."

"Stay! I have just quitted his presence, and left him, I trust, with
thoughts worthy of the sovereign of Granada, which I would not have
disturbed by a stranger, a man whose arms are not spear nor shield."

"Noble Muza," returned Almamen, "fear not that my voice will weaken the
inspirations which thine hath breathed into the breast of Boabdil. Alas!
if my counsel were heeded, thou wouldst hear the warriors of Granada
talk less of Muza, and more of the king. But Fate, or Allah, hath
placed upon the throne of a tottering dynasty, one who, though brave,
is weak--though, wise, a dreamer; and you suspect the adviser, when you
find the influence of nature on the advised. Is this just?"

Muza gazed long and sternly on the face of Almamen; then, putting his
hand gently on the enchanter's shoulder, he said--

"Stranger, if thou playest us false, think that this arm hath cloven the
casque of many a foe, and will not spare the turban of a traitor!"

"And think thou, proud prince!" returned Almamen, unquailing, "that I
answer alone to Allah for my motives, and