this place, without molestation?' 'It permits,' said Osmyn, 'yet more;
he has commanded, that you should have admittance to ALMEIDA.' ALMORAN,
whose vanity betrayed him to flatter his own power in the person of
HAMET, replied with a smile: 'I know, that ALMORAN, who presides like a
God in silent and distant state, reveals the secrets of his will to
thee; I know that thou art'--'I am,' said Osmyn, 'of all thou seest,
most wretched.' At this declaration, ALMORAN turned short, and fixed his
eyes upon Osmyn with a look of surprize and anger: 'Does not the favour
of ALMORAN,' said he, 'whose smile is power, and wealth, and honour,
shine upon thee?' 'My lord,' said Osmyn, 'I know so well the severity of
thy virtue, that if I should, even for thy sake, become perfidious to
thy brother'--ALMORAN, who was unable to preserve the character of HAMET
with propriety, interrupted him with a fierce and haughty tone: 'How!'
said he, 'perfidious to my brother! to ALMORAN perfidious!'

Osmyn, who had now gone too far to recede, and who still saw before him
the figure of HAMET, proceeded in his purpose: 'I knew,' said he, 'that
in thy judgment I should be condemned; and yet, the preservation of life
is the strongest principle of nature, and the love of virtue is her
proudest boast.' 'Explain thyself,' said ALMORAN, 'for I cannot
comprehend thee.' 'I mean,' said Osmyn, 'that he, whose life depends
upon the caprice of a tyrant, is like the wretch whose sentence is
already pronounced; and who, if the wind does but rush by his dungeon,
imagines that it is the bow-string and the mute.' 'Fear not,' said
ALMORAN, who now affected to be again calm; 'be still faithful, and thou
shalt still be safe.' 'Alas!' said Osmyn, there is no diligence, no
toil, no faith, that can secure the slave from the sudden phrensy of
passion, from, the causeless rage either of drunkenness or lust. I am
that slave; the slave of a tyrant whom I hate.' The confusion of ALMORAN
was now too great to be concealed, and he stood silent with rage, fear,