, "and
I die a king!" and leaning his head on my shoulder he expired quietly,
for one of the arteries in his neck had been cut through.

'Not knowing what I did I staggered towards the sabre which was lying
near me, with the intention of following my beloved prince as speedily
as possible. And when Thelamis seized my hand (but only just in time),
in my madness I turned the sabre upon him, and he fell struck through
the heart at my feet.'

The whole company were listening to the story with breathless
attention, when it became plain that Dely could go no further, while
Tezila had flung herself on a heap of cushions and hidden her face.
Zambac ordered her women to give them all the attention possible, and
desired they should be carried into her own rooms.

When the two sisters were in this condition, Ibrahim, who was a very
prudent young man, suggested to his parents that, as the two Circassians
were both unconscious, it would be an excellent opportunity to search
them and see if the talismans belonging to the daughters of Siroco were
concealed about their persons. But the Bassa, shocked at the notion of
treating his guests in so inhospitable a manner, refused to do anything
of the kind, adding that the next day he hoped to persuade them to give
the talismans up of their own free will.

By this time it was nearly midnight and Neangir, who was standing near
the Jewess Sumi, drew out the portrait of Argentine, and heard with
delight that she was even more beautiful than her picture. Everyone
was waiting on tip-toe for the appearance of the two watches, who were
expected when the clock struck twelve to come in search of Sumi, and
that there might be no delay the Bassa ordered all the doors to be flung
wide open. It was done, and there entered not the longed-for watches,
but the page who had been sent away in disgrace.

Then the Bassa arose in wrath. 'Azemi,' he said, 'did I not order you to
stand no more in my presence?'

'My lord,' replied Azemi, modestly, 'I was hidden outside the door,
listening to the tale of the two Circassians. And as I know you are fond
of stories, give me also leave to tell you one. I promise you it shall
not be long.'

'Speak on,' replied the Bassa, 'but take heed what you say.'

'My lord,' began Azemi, 'this morning I was walking in the town when
I noticed a man going in the same direction followed by a slave. He
entered a baker's shop, where he bought some bread which he gave to the
slav