ovement that I
was paralyzed with fear. Then, without taking his eyes from the object
which had first attracted his attention, he asked for his telescope.
My mother gave it him, and as she did so, looked whiter than the
marble against which she leaned. I saw my father's hand tremble. 'A
boat!--two!--three!' murmured my, father;--'four!' He then arose,
seizing his arms and priming his pistols. 'Vasiliki,' said he to my
mother, trembling perceptibly, 'the instant approaches which will decide
everything. In the space of half an hour we shall know the emperor's
answer. Go into the cavern with Haidee.'--'I will not quit you,' said
Vasiliki; 'if you die, my lord, I will die with you.'--'Go to Selim!'
cried my father. 'Adieu, my lord,' murmured my mother, determining
quietly to await the approach of death. 'Take away Vasiliki!' said my
father to his Palikares.

"As for me, I had been forgotten in the general confusion; I ran toward
Ali Tepelini; he saw me hold out my arms to him, and he stooped down and
pressed my forehead with his lips. Oh, how distinctly I remember that
kiss!--it was the last he ever gave me, and I feel as if it were still
warm on my forehead. On descending, we saw through the lattice-work
several boats which were gradually becoming more distinct to our view.
At first they appeared like black specks, and now they looked like birds
skimming the surface of the waves. During this time, in the kiosk at my
father's feet, were seated twenty Palikares, concealed from view by an
angle of the wall and watching with eager eyes the arrival of the boats.
They were armed with their long guns inlaid with mother-of-pearl and
silver, and cartridges in great numbers were lying scattered on the
floor. My father looked at his watch, and paced up and down with a
countenance expressive of the greatest anguish. This was the scene which
presented itself to my view as I quitted my father after that last kiss.
My mother and I traversed the gloomy passage leading to the cavern.
Selim was still at his post, and smiled sadly on us as we entered. We
fetched our cushions from the other end of the cavern, and sat down by
Selim. In great dangers the devoted ones cling to each other; and, young
as I was, I quite understood that some imminent danger was hanging over
our heads."

Albert had often heard--not from his father, for he never spoke on the
subject, but from strangers--the description of the last moments of the
vizier of Yanina; he