wonder from which I have not yet recovered."

"The person who has penetrated the Seraglio of Constantinople in
disguise to rescue the Lady Iduna," answered Iskander, "is the Prince
Nicaeus."

"Nicaeus!" exclaimed Iduna, in an agitated tone. "The voice to which I
listen is surely not that of the Prince Nicaeus; nor the form on which I
gaze," she added, as she unveiled. Beside her stood the tall figure of
the Armenian physician. She beheld his swarthy and unrecognised
countenance. She cast her dark eyes around with an air of beautiful
perplexity.

"I am a friend of the Prince Nicaeus," said the physician. "He is here.
Shall he advance? Alexis," called cut, Iskander, not waiting for her
reply. The page of the physician came forward, but the eunuch
accompanied him. "All is right," said Iskander to Kaflis. "We are
sure of our hundred purses. But, without doubt, with any other aid,
the case were desperate."

"There is but one God," said the eunuch, polishing his carbuncle, with
a visage radiant as the gem. "I never repented patronizing men of
science. The prince waits without. Come along!" He took Iskander by
the arm. "Where is your boy? What are you doing there, sir ?"
inquired the eunuch, sharply, of Nicaeus, who, was tarrying behind, and
kissing the hand of Iduna.

"I was asking the lady for a favour to go to the coffee-house with;"
replied Nicaeus, "you forget that I am to have none of the hundred
purses."