OMAR, however, did not yet disclose his suspicions to HAMET, because he
did not yet see that it could answer any purpose. To remove ALMEIDA from
her apartment, would be to shew a distrust, for which there would not
appear to be any cause; and to refuse ALMORAN access to her when he
desired it, might precipitate such measures as he might meditate, and
engage him in some desperate attempt: he, therefore, contented himself
with advising HAMET, to conceal the time of his marriage till the
evening before he intended it should take place, without assigning the
reason on which his advice was founded.

To the council of OMAR, HAMET was implicitly obedient, as to the
revelations of the Prophet; but, like his instructions, it was neglected
by ALMORAN, who became every moment more wretched. He had a graceful
person, and a vigorous mind; he was in the bloom of youth, and had a
constitution that promised him length of days; he had power which
princes were emulous to obey, and wealth by which whatever could
administer to luxury might be bought, for every passion, and every
appetite, it was easy for him to procure a perpetual succession of new
objects: yet was ALMORAN, not only without enjoyment, but without peace;
he was by turns pining with discontent, and raving with indignation; his
vices had extracted bitter from every sweet; and having exhausted
nature for delight in vain, he was repining at the bounds in which he
was confined, and regretting the want of other powers as the cause of
his misery.

Thus the year of mourning for Solyman was compleated, without any act of
violence on the part of ALMORAN, or of caution on the part of HAMET: but
on the evening of the last day, HAMET, having secretly prepared every
thing for performing the solemnity in a private manner, acquainted