suppressed, malicious mirth. She made a slight imperative gesture
of command to Gazra, who at once approached, and, bending over the
dead Nir-jalis, proceeded to strip off all the gold clasps and
valuable jewels that had so lavishly adorned the ill-fated young
man's attire,--then beckoning another slave nearly as tall and
muscular as himself, they attached to the neck and feet of the
corpse round, leaden, bullet-shaped weights, fastened by means of
heavy iron chains. This done, they raised the body from the floor
and carried it between them to the central and largest casement of
all that stood open to the midnight air, and with a dexterous
movement flung it out into the waters of the lake beneath. It fell
with a sullen splash, the pale lilies on the surface rocking
stormily to and fro as though blown by a gust of wind, while great
circling ripples shone softly in the yellow gleam of the
moonlight, as the dead man sank down, down, down like a stone into
his crystal-quiet grave.

Lysia returned to her throne with a serene step and unruffled
brow, followed by the sulky and disappointed Aizif, . . smiling
gently on Theos and Sah-luma she reseated herself, and touched a
small bell at her side. It gave a sharp kling-klang like a
suddenly struck cymbal--and lo! ... the marble floor yawned
asunder, and the banquet-table with all its costly fruits and
flowers vanished underground with the swiftness of lightning! The
floor closed again, . . the broad, circular centre-space of the hall
was now clear from all obstruction,--and the company of revellers
roused themselves a little from their drowsy postures of half-
inebriated languor. The singing voices that had stirred Nir-jalis
to sudden animation even in his dying agony, sounded nearer and
nearer, and the globe of fire overhead changed its hue from that