g that his
servant from the big house in the city has news for his most august
ears."

The son of ill repute stared inquisitively for a moment, and then moved
off slowly with the inimitable gait of these ebon specimens of mankind,
increasing his pace almost to a run once out of the female's range of
vision.

Like a shadow she followed the different people, who, passing her from
one to another, led her through rooms and halls into an open court, at
the far end of which sat the man she sought, watching two jaguars being
led up and down before him.

"Peace unto thee, O! my daughter, and fear not to approach," Hahmed
said gently as the woman made deep obeisance, and shrank from the
animals who snarled at her viciously. "And thou, my son, take these
products of the bazaar hence, for surely hast thou been fooled by him
who brought them from distant climes. Verily, the sire may have been a
jaguar, but his mate, judging from the shape of the offspring, must
most surely have been a jackal. Bring not such trash to me, if thou
wouldst not incur my wrath!"

The snarling products of the bazaar were hurriedly jerked out of the
court as Hahmed turned to the woman.

"Is all well, O! faithful one?"

"All is well, O! Most High," answered the Honourable Mary's perfect
treasure of a maid. "Behold the gracious flower, upon whom it is my
joy and honour to wait, changeth her mood one hundred times in the
passing hour. She laughs at noon, and her pillow is wet with salt
tears at night; her feet, like lotus-buds, carry her hither and thither
in the day, the dimness of her room sees her face downwards upon her
couch.

"As unto a sweet rose she clings to her friend, the great lady, who
forsooth is as pleasing as a well-cooked dish of the flesh of kid
mingled with tamarind and rice; but the rose mixeth not with other
flowers, and about her heart rests thy most honourable picture."

For some long time Hahmed stared unseeingly in front and then he spoke.

"Thou hast worked well, my daughter, even from the moment when thou
didst take the place of the great lady's white servant, to report to me
upon the doings of the white man who strove to find my wife.

"Ask what reward thou will'st, it shall be granted unto thee!"

And the man, knowing the cupidity of his race, was somewhat astounded
when, casting herself at his feet, the woman craved to be taken into
his household so that, as she put it, "I may dwell in content in thy
shadow, a