the Princess excited his respect. When they offered to depart, he
entreated their stay, and was the next day more unwilling to
dismiss them than before. They were easily persuaded to stop, and
civility grew up in time to freedom and confidence.

The Prince now saw all the domestics cheerful and all the face of
nature smiling round the place, and could not forbear to hope that
he should find here what he was seeking; but when he was
congratulating the master upon his possessions he answered with a
sigh, "My condition has indeed the appearance of happiness, but
appearances are delusive. My prosperity puts my life in danger;
the Bassa of Egypt is my enemy, incensed only by my wealth and
popularity. I have been hitherto protected against him by the
princes of the country; but as the favour of the great is uncertain
I know not how soon my defenders may be persuaded to share the
plunder with the Bassa. I have sent my treasures into a distant
country, and upon the first alarm am prepared to follow them. Then
will my enemies riot in my mansion, and enjoy the gardens which I
have planted."

They all joined in lamenting his danger and deprecating his exile;
and the Princess was so much disturbed with the tumult of grief and
indignation that she retired to her apartment. They continued with
their kind inviter a few days longer, and then went to find the
hermit.



CHAPTER XXI--THE HAPPINESS OF SOLITUDE--THE HERMIT'S HISTORY.