through the whiteness of her skin--"Think no more of such folly--
thou wilt anger me. That a doting graybeard like Khosrul should
trouble the peace of Al-Kyris the Magnificent, ... by the gods--
the whole thing is absurd! Let me hear no more of mobs or riots,
or road-rhetoric,--my soul abhors even the suggestion of discord.
Tranquillity! ... Divinest calm, disturbed only by the flutterings
of winged thoughts hovering over the cloudless heaven of fancy!
... this, this alone is the sum and centre of my desires.--and to-
day I find that even thou, Niphrata--" here his voice took upon
itself an injured tone,--"thou, who art usually so gentle, hast
somewhat troubled the placidity of my mind by thy foolish talk
concerning common and unpleasant circumstances, ... "He stopped
short and a line of vexation and annoyance made its appearance
between his broad, beautiful brows, while Niphrata seeing this
expression of almost baby-petulance in the face she adored threw
herself suddenly at his feet, and raising her lovely eyes swimming
in tears, she exclaimed:

"My lord! Sah-luma! Singing-angel of Niphrata's soul!--Forgive me!
It is true, ... thou shouldst never hear of strife or contention
among the coarser tribe of men,--and I, ... I, poor Niphrata,
would give my life to shield thee from the faintest shadow of
annoy! I would have thy path all woven sunbeams,--thou shouldst
live like a fairy monarch embowered 'mid roses, sheltered from
rough winds, and folded in loving arms, fairer maybe, hut not more
fond than mine!" ... Her voice broke,--stooping, she kissed the
silver fastening of his sandal, and springing up, rushed from the
room before a word could be uttered to bid her stay.

Sah-luma looked after her with a pretty, half-pleased perplexity.