"Let us swear to be true friends forever," continued Mohammed.

"Here is my hand! Eternal friendship! If you need me, Osman, call
me, and, were I ever so distant, I would come to you. When in want,
or when cast down by sorrow and suffering, I will complain to no one
but you. What my lips will confess to no one else, they shall
confess to Osman. Shall it be so? Friendship for life?"

"Yes, life-long friendship!' said Osman. "Men need not know it. We
will preserve as our secret the bond of friendship we have formed,
and I only entreat of Allah that he may some day permit me to prove
to you that I am your friend."

"And this I entreat of Allah, too," said Mohammed, warmly pressing
his friend's wan hand. "But now let me go; the scha-er relates again
to-day, and I will go and hear him, and come to-morrow to repeat to
you what I have heard, if you wish it."

"I shall await you, Mohammed, and count the hours until you come."

They shook hands once more, and Mohammed hurried down the garden-
walks. Osman's eyes followed him lovingly.

"I love him, and may Allah enable me to prove it some day!"

Mohammed hurries on, heedless of the direction he has taken, and
forgetting that the use of the main avenue was forbidden since the
harem had taken possession of the park. He walks on, carelessly,
heedlessly. He wishes to pass out at the back gate of the garden, as
he often did. Hastening on, with flushed cheeks, he hardly perceives