how hard is it to prevent my cheek from pressing close to thine? when I stand by thy side I am tempted, almost irresistibly, to clasp thee to my bosom, even while thy frowning father looks in anger upon us. Yet, it is possible-it may be done," he added, pressing his hands forcibly over his eyes, as though by that action he could assist the resolution which he felt to waver at the bare thought of the trial. "But we will talk no longer of it," he continued, after a short silence; "let us enjoy the happiness that we have, without thinking upon the chances which may deprive us of it. It is idle, it is useless, to look at the chain that is thrown over us. Let us conceal it with roses. And after all, the stealth and secrecy which hide our love from all eyes, are to me no abatement of its charm; nay, they heighten, and render it more enchanting. What treasure do we more value than one which every moment may be snatched from our possession ?"

"I grieve to hear you speak thus, Giafar," replied the princess, reproachfully. "I could almost weep to think that the love which you evince for me is owing in any degree to the difficulties which have opposed it. Can it be? If they were removed, if all things smiled upon us, would your love in aught diminish? If so, I pray Allah for the frowns of my father as I would for a blessing most dear!"

"Talk not thus," interrupted the prince, impatiently. "Think not thus of my affection. Thou esteemest it as a light thing, if thou canst say this.

Wert thou an angel, far above my reach or my hopes, I would worship and adore thee; and wert thou a slave, bought with my gold, (it is profanity to think it,) yet wert thou subject to my slightest wishes, not the less would my heart, my happiness, be in thy hands. No time nor change can diminish my love. Yet our stolen interviews are sweeter to me thus, and the happiness that I possess in thee is more enchanting, since I hold it as such peril.”

"Man," replied Abassa," runs his round of pleasures, and wearied of them all, like the spoiled child, desires only that which is forbidden him. Why should opposition and difficulty be ever the chief charms for him? In war, the hazard of the attempt may lure, more than the value of the prize-when glory is the mistress she is to be wooed thusmust it be so in love?"

“Oh! there is a pleasure to the bold spirit, to tread upon the verge of danger, to walk safely and firmly where the trembling limbs of his fellow-men would refuse to support them; there is a triumph in it and a pride, such as the eagle feels, methinks, when he soars upward to the sun, and gazes on him as no other bird would dare. Feelings like these mingle themselves even with our love."

"It is not so with woman,” replied the princess. "She may be true in danger, but she ever wishes it far away. For me, I would enjoy my happiness in peace, nay, even in obscurity.”

"Thou speakest over confidently, my life," returned the prince. "Thy reason, thine experience,

cannot teach thee this; thou listenest to thy heart alone-it may deceive thee. Were we away in some safe retreat where the winds of fortune could not blow upon us, and whence our happiness could no more escape, wouldst thou then love me as thou now dost? wouldst thou not wish, at times, for these very fears, these trials which now surround us, that they might vary the dull sameness of quiet and unalarmed affection?"

"Thy words are strange, Giafar,” replied the princess. "I should not-oh, no! how canst thou think thus? Love in retirement, and with thee, would compose my highest happiness, and thy presence supply the loss of all the world."

Their lips met, and he would have pressed her more closely to his bosom, had not a slight movement amid the trelliswork of flowers which surrounded them made him pause. Giafar's countenance, however, did not change, neither did he turn his eye to the direction from whence the sound came. He seemed not to notice the interruption; and a warning glance admonished the princess to be equally prudent. For a time they continued their gay and delightful discourse; he withdrew not his arm which he had passed around the princess's waist, and she, although trembling with fear, shrank not from his embrace; both seemed equally and entirely unaware of the presence of an intruder. After a few moments, however, they arose, and proceeded slowly together towards their favourite kiosk.

While walking thither, the prince had leisure to conjecture rapidly as to the nature and cause of the intrusion upon their privacy, and also to adopt some method by which he might promptly, and with certainty, free himself from the impending danger. Some one had set an espial upon them. Who could it be, and who was the traitor that had dared to undertake so dangerous an office? None but his own household slaves ever entered this garden, and the few who, since his marriage, had been employed in the various duties within its walls, were chosen for their tried fidelity. Besides, they were never absent from the palace, and could hold no communication with any who might wish to employ them as instruments of their master's ruin. "Yet," thought the prince, "a stranger would hardly venture hither; unacquainted with the grounds and the strict regulations with which they are kept, such temerity were certain to be punished with death." But whatever doubts he had as to the instrument, he had few as to the origin of the treachery. Upon this point all his suspicions were directed to the Commander of the Faithful. He could not mistake. No one but he would have dared thus to intrude upon his domestic privacy, or have ventured upon an expedient so dangerous for accomplishing this purpose.

They were now at the kiosk. As they ascended the steps leading to their favourite apartment, Giafar pressed the hand of the princess encouragingly, and whispered, " Compose thyself, dearest.

VOL. II.--C

wont.

Let no word or look escape thee, which may betray thy fears. Sing, laugh, and be gay, as thou art Our safety may depend upon thy firmness." They entered. Abassa seated herself upon the rich carpet, while the prince, with an affectation of gallantry, handed her various sweetmeats and fruits from a low table, serving them upon one knee, after the manner of a slave. Each time that he presented her with a dish of fruit, or a bowl of sherbet, he kissed her hand with great tenderness, as also when they were returned to him after she had partaken of their contents.

When they had finished a light repast, the princess, at Giafar's request, sang a few verses to her lute, which were followed on the part of the prince by a profusion of thanks and applause. He then took the lute from her hand, and after striking a few preparatory chords, complained that the instrument was false, and under the pretence of seeking one better attuned, left the chamber and entered an adjoining apartment.

He opened the lattice in haste, and holding fast his cimeter, lest in alighting its clash should betray him, swung lightly to the ground. He then proceeded around the kiosk, and ascended the balustrade on the opposite side of the building.

It would be difficult to say whether surprise or indignation predominated in the prince's bosom, when, upon advancing, he perceived one of his own and most trusty slaves in the act of looking through the lattice which opened upon his private retreat. It may be that astonishment first took