eat size and beautiful proportion. The
ceiling, encrusted with green fretwork, and studded with silver stars,
rested upon clustered columns of white and green marble. In the centre
of a variegated pavement of the same material, a fountain rose and fell
into a green porphyry basin, and by the side of the fountain, upon a
couch of silver, reposed Honain.

He raised his eyes from the illuminated volume on which he had been long
intent; he clapped his hands, and a Nubian slave advanced, and, folding
his arms upon his breast, bowed in silence before his lord. 'How fares
the Hebrew boy, Analschar?'

'Master, the fever has not returned. We gave him the potion; he
slumbered for many hours, and has now awakened, weak but well.'

'Let him rise and attend me.'

The Nubian disappeared.

'There is nothing stranger than sympathy,' soliloquised the physician
of the Caliph, with a meditative air; 'all resolves itself into this
principle, and I confess this learned doctor treats it deeply and well.
An erudite spirit truly, and an eloquent pen; yet he refines too
much. 'Tis too scholastic. Observation will teach us more than dogma.
Meditating upon my passionate youth, I gathered wisdom. I have seen so
much that I have ceased to wonder. However we doubt, there is a mystery
beyond our penetration. And yet 'tis near our grasp. I sometimes deem a
step, a single step, would launch us into light. Here comes my patient.
The rose has left his cheek, and his deep brow is wan and melancholy.
Yet 'tis a glorious visage, Meditation's throne; and Passion lingers in
that languid eye. I know not why, a strong attraction draws me to this
lone child.

'Gentle stranger, how fares it with thee?'

'Very well, my lord. I come to thank thee for all thy goodness. My only
thanks are words, and those too weak; and yet the orphan's blessing is a
treasure.'

'You are an orphan, then'

'I have no parent but my father's God.'

'And that God is----'

'The God of Israel.'

'So I deemed. He is a Deity we all must honour; if he be the great
Creator whom we all allow.'

'He is what he is, and we are what we are, a fallen people, but faithful
still.'

'Fidelity is strength.'

'Thy words are truth, and strength must triumph.'

'A prophecy!'

'Many a prophet is little honoured, till the future proves his
inspiration.'

'You are young and sanguine.'

'So was my ancestor within the vale of Elah. But I speak unto a Moslem,
and this is foolishness.'