carriage of the small erect head and stag-like throat, there was that
undefinable and imposing dignity, which accords so well with our
conception of a heroic lineage, and a noble though imperious spirit. The
stranger approached Almamen, and paused abruptly when within a few steps
of the enchanter. He gazed upon him in silence for some moments; and
when at length he spoke it was with a cold and sarcastic tone.

"Pretender to the dark secrets," said he, "is it in the stars that thou
art reading those destinies of men and nations, which the Prophet wrought
by the chieftain's brain and the soldier's arm?"

"Prince," replied Almamen, turning slowly, and recognising the intruder
on his meditations, "I was but considering how many revolutions, which
have shaken earth to its centre, those orbs have witnessed,
unsympathising and unchanged."

"Unsympathising!" repeated the Moor--"yet thou believest in their effect
upon the earth?"

"You wrong me," answered Almamen, with a slight smile, "you confound your
servant with that vain race, the astrologers."

"I deemed astrology a part of the science of the two angels, Harut and
Marut."

[The science of magic. It was taught by the Angels named in the
text; for which offence they are still supposed to be confined to
the ancient Babel. There they may yet be consulted, though they are
rarely seen.--Yallal'odir Yahya.
--SALE'S Koran.]