and red; his teeth regular and dazzling white. His ebony
beard flowed, but not at too great a length, in graceful and natural
curls, and was richly perfumed; a delicate mustachio shaded his upper
lip, but no whisker was permitted to screen the form and shroud the
lustre of his oval countenance and brilliant complexion. Altogether, the
animal perhaps predominated too much in the expression of the stranger's
countenance; but genius beamed from his passionate eye, and craft lay
concealed in that subtle lip. The dress of the rider was sumptuous. His
turban, formed by a scarlet Cachemire shawl, was of great breadth, and
concealing half of his white forehead, increased by the contrast the
radiant height of the other. His under-vest was of white Damascus silk,
stiff with silver embroidery, and confined by a girdle formed by a Brusa
scarf of gold stuff, and holding a dagger, whose hilt appeared blazing
with brilliants and rubies. His loose and exterior robe was of crimson
cloth. His white hands sparkled with rings, and his ears glittered with
pendulous gems.

'Who is this?' asked an Egyptian merchant, in a low whisper, of the
dealer whose stuffs he was examining.

''Tis the Lord Honain,' replied the dealer. 'And who may he be?'
continued the Egyptian. 'Is he the Caliph's son?'

'A much greater man; his physician.' The white mule stopped at the very
stall where this conversation was taking place. The pages halted, and
stood on each side of their master, the footmen kept off the crowd.

'Merchant,' said Honain, with a gracious smile of condescension, and
with a voice musical as a flute, 'Merchant, did you obtain me my wish?'

'There is but one God,' replied the dealer, who was the charitable
Ali, 'and Mahomed is his Prophet. I succeeded, please your highness, in
seeing at Aleppo the accursed Giaour, of whom I spoke, and behold,
that which you desired is here.' So saying, Ali produced several Greek
manuscripts, and offered them to his visitor.

'Hah!' said Honain, with a sparkling eye, ''tis well; their cost?'

'The infidel would not part with them under five hundred dirhems,'
replied Ali.

'Ibrahim, see that this worthy merchant receive a thousand.'

'As many thanks, my Lord Honain.'

The Caliph's physician bowed gracefully.

'Advance, pages,' continued Honain; 'why this stoppage? Ibrahim, see
that our way be cleared. What is all this?'

A crowd of men advanced, pulling along a youth, who, almost exhausted,
still si