to me with hesitation-and his tenderness, which ever had been great, grew still much greater, though less constant; for he could not bear to see me speak to any of our former play-mates, and sometimes he bitterly reproached me for it.

"I knew not then the meaning of this change, and it was not until I saw some other maidens looking kindly on him, and courting his attention, that I knew how much I loved him, or could feel why he disliked to see me speak to other men.

"I remember it was one day just after the long fast, when we were met together many of us at a feast. After we had dined, some of the young men came to where the women were collected, and Fusuf came along with them. He was the fairest and the handsomest by far, and many of the maidens fixed their eyes upon him, and one of them persuaded him to sit down beside her, and smiled upon him, and whispered many words in his ear-and I thought they pleased him. I felt, for the first time, as if he had neglected me-my heart was full-the tear was near my eye, and I could have wept, but shame prevented me.

"When he came round to where I sat, I could not conceal that I was angry with him, and I gave him short and pettish answers. He made no reply, but looked most kindly on me— his eyes filled, and he turned away and left us.

"In the evening he came to me, and we talked much together, and there were some tears shed, but no reproaches uttered. Then I felt my love for him, and his for me, and he wrung from me a confession that I loved him, and made me say that I would one day be his wife. And then he spoke of all his hopes, and of a time yet distant, and of the happiness we should enjoy, for then our fears were few; and when we parted, he kissed me, and called me even then his wife.

"I had never concealed anything from my father, for, with my love for him, there was mixed no fear except the fear lest I should give him pain. But I had never heard him speak of love such as I felt ; and though I hoped that I had not done anything which could displease or pain him, I found it difficult to tell him what had passed. But he himself found out the secret of my heart, and when he spoke to me I

owned it. He told me that in virtuous love there was no sin-that he approved my choice-that he himself had loved as tenderly and fervently as any one, and had been loved again,and now I saw that he took pleasure in observing how we loved each other.

"Had the Persians not come to our village, Eusuf would in another week have been my husband. That very day we had been solemnly betrothed, and I had on my bridal clothes, and all that day I had been called the bride. A woful bridal-day it was to me and all of us-for ere the night came down, I had forgotten, in my present misery, all that had befallen me in my life before; and when I came to think more calmly, I thought most of my dear father, and his murder-and that dreadful night—and of the future ;—and when I thought of Eusuf, I thought of him as one whom I should never see again, unless in hea

ven.

"From that fatal night on which my sorrows first began, I never saw him till some days ago when going to the garden. We scarce had passed the gate of Shameroon, when a man passed us riding on horseback, and as he rode along, he sung a song in my native language, which I had often heard in our own village-It was a song which some lover had written for his love, whose name, like mine, was Meiram, and therefore Eusuf often sung it to me. I thought I knew the voice, and when I saw his face I knew it-my frame all shook-my eyes grew dim-my head ran round; and without knowing what I said, I named his name aloud. He started, and looked round, but could not tell from which of us the voice had come, for we were many riding together, but he followed at a distance, singing still the song of Meiram, and almost broke my heart.

"When we were returning, we found him still lingering on the way, and as we passed, he looked at us so narrowly, that the guards ordered him off the road, and then he went away.

"I never had ceased to love him, but I knew not where he was-or if he lived. I feared that he had died-or if alive, that he had long ago forgotten me and I had ceased to lament for him; yet when I found him seeking still for me, still loving me, I felt as if my heart had been untrue to him, and that I therefore owed him much

more love than ever. I then remembered that I was, in fact, his wife. By my own promise, by my father's wish, and by the solemn ceremony of betrothing, I was his. My conscience now was roused to aid my love-my mind distracted with a thousand thoughts-endless self-criminations poured upon me. I thought that I had half consented to become what now I was, or was to be. What mattered it although he was a king-I had a husband, who was more than kings to me -it was true, that I had been sent by force, and that resistance would have been vain, but I had not attempted it-I had not even said I was betrothed.

"With thoughts like these I spent the night, and in the morning, confused and feverish, I went to the bath, and on my return home I sent for you. "This was what I wished to tell you. I wished to beg your aid, but my own weakness marred my purpose. I could not tell you, for I was then wretched, and sorrow made me weak; but now despair has given me strength, and I can tell you, even without blushing, of my love.

"This is not all; oh no! the worst is yet to come. What then was sorrow-was happiness-to what I have to tell you now:-The King has sent me presents, and ordered me to wait on him to-night; and even worse than this-worse-worse than all, Eusuf was mad enough to send to me a letter full of love-This has been intercepted; he is taken, and I am charged with infamy-most falsely charged; for I swear by my dear father's soul, which looks on me from heaven, that I am pure and innocent as when he used to take me in his arms, and smile upon me through tears of hope, and love, and joy.

"They came to give me the King's presents, and tell that I was to be much honoured by waiting on his Majesty to-night; and when I pushed away the odious gifts, and wept, (as what could I do else ?) they said that I did little grace to the King's message, and that they feared I scarcely was deserving of the honour done me. But when they found the letter, they thought that all was then made plain; and so, in truth, it was, but not as they have made it; and they went to tell the King, and left me here to weep my sorrows, and to weep for him,

who, for my sake, has come to so much misery.

"Oh, Meerza! if you can save him, I'll bless you with my dying lips, and if in another world we are allowed to feel the memory of kindnesses done here, my spirit after death shall bless you still."

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Speak not of him," said the old woman, sternly, "speak not of him his madness has brought this upon us all-let him suffer for it, for all the fault is his. What had he to do to seek for one, who by the hand of power was taken from him? What had he to do to follow with his love, one, who was happier far without him; and, (madman that he is,) bring down the vengeance of the King on this sweet flower, who (but for him) was flourishing, and would have blossomed an honour to her race, a pride to all her people. Speak not of him, but save this lovely maid, and let him pay the penalty of follies such as his."

"Is it you," said Meiram, "who speak thus you who bore him, who nursed him at your breast, and, as you yourself have told me, saw in his smiling infant eyes a solace for your woes, which then were many—you, whom I have myself seen weep for very joy to hear his praises from my father

and do you thus cast him off, who ought to plead for him! Oh, his heart is true! He would not have deserted the meanest slave at such a time-requiring so much aid as he does now."

I was about to interfere, when a noise was heard without, and Aga Jewah rushed into the room, calling, "They are come-they are come." He threw himself upon the floor-kissed his mistress's feet, and broke out into bitter lamentations. I demanded who were come. He said, the execution

ers.

A solemn, dead, and awful pause ensued. Poor Aga Jewah stood mute and motionless, the picture of despair. The old woman was on her knees at prayer, after the christian manner. Her face was hid from me, but I could see her agony expressed in strong convulsive heavings, which went to my very soul.

I turned to Meiram. Her face was deadly pale-calm and motionless she sat-her streaming eyes turned up to heaven-her pallid lips apart-her hair thrown back, and falling down in long black silken tresses-her hands

were folded on her bosom. If ever there was true devotion in a look, that look was Meiram's. There was a halo round her, even though a Christian, which awed me into silence, and made me feel that prayers are not in words, but in the heart, and that religion, in its kind and holy influence, is bound to no one form of faith.

Although I knew not what to do, I felt it was my duty to do something, and that without delay. I went to the outer room, and found there some of the inferior eunuchs, who had, in truth, come to act as executioners. I gave the chief of them some money, making him promise to wait till my return; and I engaged for Aga Jewah, that he should treat them handsomely.

I thought of many things which might be done; but all required more time than I could give. I passed across the court, not knowing whither I went, and got into another court, in which I had never been. There I saw about a dozen eunuchs standing together near a window, which was open, where some one seemed to be conversing with them. I drew near unobserved, and found it was the King of kings himself. I stood till he perceived me, and then fell flat upon the ground, to shew that I came to make a supplication.

"Ah! Meerza Ahmed," said his Majesty, "what are you doing here? What is the matter?-Have any of the women been treating you ill?— They are terrible devils these women, Meerza-Ah! is it not so? Come near, and tell me what you want. If you have any ureeza* to present, you ought to have come to the salam.t-But let me hear what it is."

"My urz, so please your Majesty," said I, "is one which it would not have become me to make to the King of kings in public; but a fortunate chance, or some lucky conjunction of the heavenly bodies, has now directed me to your Majesty ; for I lost my way, and came here, not knowing whither I was going. But your Majesty is always gracious, and I trust will not deny the first petition of the slave of your house."

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'Well, Meerza Ahmed," said his Majesty, "if you ask anything in reason, you shall have it; and if your re

Ureeza, a petition.
Urz, the same as urceza.

quest is such as the King cannot with propriety grant, you shall pay a fine of 100 tomans for making it. Now tell me what it is."

I fell again upon the ground, and begged the life of Meiram.

By the head of the King," said his Majesty, you must pay your 100 tomans; can anything be more unreasonable than your request? a jade, to play the King the trick she has played; to disgrace and insult him; and you would have her forgiven! What, Meerza, do you want her for yourself? I thought you had been too old to trouble yourself about young wives now. What would you make of her, Meerza, if you had her? Come, send for your 100 tomans, for you have forfeited them, or give me a good reason for your request."

"The girl," said I, "is innocent of the crime for which she is doomed to suffer."

"If you can prove that," replied the King, "I shall be better pleased than if I had received the money, for the girl is passing fair."

I related to his Majesty the story of Meiram, word for word, as she had told it to me, and he listened with great attention. When I came to tell him of the executioners' having gone to take her away, and of her having reproached Eusuf's mother for trying to save her, in preference to her own son, and of the mother's opinion of her son's conduct, and of her calling him mad, and of their great distress and sorrow, the King expressed some pity for them. I added, that if his Majesty would grant a pardon to them both, their being in fact half man and wife (for they had been betrothed) would give a fair pretext for doing so-the generosity of his Majesty would be echoed from one end of the empire to the other; and that I was sure the girl would rather die than be untrue to her betrothed husband; for if he were put to death, she certainly would break her heart with grieving.

The King reflected for a while, then said, "Hakeem Bashee,|| you have done well to make these things known -the King gives the girl to your charge -let her be taken to your own house,

and seemed about to speak, but checked herself, and cast her eyes upon the ground. The old woman's keen eye, too, was fixed upon me with a look of inquiry, which seemed to ask if I had nothing more to say. I interpreted their looks rightly, and told them that there was nothing to fear for Eusuf.

and well treated, and have her ready to be produced when the King shall demand her. The fellow shall be examined. If his story agrees with yours, he shall be pardoned. If not, you must pay the 100 tomans. Do you hear what the King has ordered?" I fell upon the ground once more, and blessed his Majesty's generosity and benevolence, which no prince had ever equalled.

His Majesty sent an eunuch of rank to liberate Meiram, and hand her over to my charge, and gave me permission to depart.

When we arrived at the apartments, I was alarmed by hearing a great noise within; many shrill voices were raised at once, and Aga Jewah's was louder than any of them.

When we entered, I found that the eunuchs whom I had left there under a promise to remain quiet, till I arrived, had forced their way into Meiram's room, seized upon everything they could find, and completely plundered the house.

Poor Meiram, believing that this was only a prelude to a more trying scene, sat a silent, passive, indifferent spectator of their present proceedings.

The eunuch who accompanied me, not being able to make them obey his orders to restore the property, seized a large piece of firewood, and began to lay about him with all his might. I followed his example; and Aga Jewah, who seemed delighted by the opportunity which was afforded him to vent his rage, gave us able assistance, so that in five minutes we were masters of the house, and had recovered almost all the things that had been taken.

Having turned the ruffians into the outer room, and set Aga Jewah to watch them, the eunuch who accompanied me with the king's order, came with me into the inner apartment, and having paid me many compliments, communicated the nature of his instructions.

While he was speaking, a breathless and distressing anxiety was painfully visible in the old woman's countenance; and when she heard that Meiram was to proceed to my house, she started from where she was sitting, and throwing herself at my feet, kissed them a hundred times.

Meiram followed her example; but as she rose she looked at me wistfully,

It has been said by wise men, that the effects of excessive joy are nearly the same with those of sorrow, and so it was now, for Meiram and the old woman were no sooner relieved from all their fears, which so late had hung heavily upon them, than they began to sob and weep, and any one who might have entered then, would have imagined that I had been the bearer of some doleful tidings. After a time they became more composed, and began to prepare themselves for their departure.

The eunuch now intimated that it was customary to give a present to the King's eunuchs when they left the house; and though I represented their bad conduct, he still insisted on their right to a compensation for having been disappointed of the plunder, which, had the King's intention not been happily changed, would, as a matter of course, have fallen to their share. He also intimated, that he himself expected a handsome reward.

All this was speedily adjusted, and having left Aga Jewah in charge of the apartments, we proceeded to the gate of the haram.

The news had gone abroad that Meiram was to live at my house, and the people conceived that the King had given her to me. As we went through the court many jokes were passed upon us; some of them no doubt very witty but my mind was too much occupied to be either annoyed or amused by them.

From the gate, an eunuch was sent with Meiram, to shew her my house, and I hurried home to prepare for her reception.

Not many hours had elapsed since the King had pardoned Meiram, but my wife, who heard everything, and always had a wrong edition of every story, had been told that the King had given me a young wife, and that she might expect her immediately. Accordingly, when I entered she made a furious attack upon me, and it was long before she could be persuaded that what she had heard was not true.

At last I gave her a short sketch of the business; and had just succeeded in persuading her of the truth of it, when Meiram arrived.

My wife, to do her justice, was capable of great kindness, and had naturally a good heart, but her cursed jealousy ruined her temper, and for many years destroyed my happiness. On this occasion, however, her good feelings had been excited, and she received Meiram, and the old woman, whom I had invited to accompany her, as kindly as I could possibly desire. She lodged them comfortably, put fewer questions than could have been expected, and succeeded in making them very happy.

The King, having satisfied himself of the truth of what I had related to him, liberated Eusuf the next day,

and ordered that he should be immediately married to Meiram. He gave Eusuf an office of emolument about the court, and allowed Meiram to keep all the jewels which she had received while in the royal haram, which were valued at several thousand of tomans. Eusuf rose every day in favour and was soon made a Khan.

Till within a very few years they have resided at the capital, but have lately removed to a village which the King has given them, amongst the Armenians, in one of his provinces. They have several children, and live very comfortably. They have been very grateful for my services, and send me frequent presents of fowls and fat lambs, and butter and eggs, so that I seldom have occasion to buy any of these articles.