tator of these sports, Hassein made no difficulty to suffer his dear princess to be present. But, while the whole court shone with lights, and rung with their innocent pleasures, the bashaw, either bewitched by his curiosity, or presuming on his power, interrupted all by his sudden appearance among them: at this unexpected surprise, the apartment echoed with cries of fear and astonishment, and every one made what shift she could to escape. The Arabian princess was the first that had drawn his attention, and, of course, was the last that could avoid him. Her alone he regarded, addressed, and followed; and, having, half by violence, stopped, "You fly me, charmer of my heart," says he, "and would conceal those beauties that deserve the adoration of the world.-Don't envy me the pleasure this charming opportunity gives me; but allow me one moment, at least, to enjoy a felicity that I could wish to be eternal. What have you to fear where you may command?" "Every thing, my lord," answered she fiercely, and disengaging herself eagerly from his hands, "Every thing, where the laws of honour and hospitality are so flagrantly violated."

At these words, she abruptly left him, covered with confusion, inflamed with passion, and

in despair of ever seeing the dear object any more. On the other hand, Hassein was no sooner informed of this adventure by his wife, but he resolved to leave Cairo that moment, and save himself from the treachery of courts in his own more hospitable mountains.

This fatal interview finished what the emerald mine began: a vassal, though a prince, was thought too happy in possessing two such invaluable treasures, and it was resolved to bereave him of both, at the expense of his own life: but Hassein no sooner was convinced his ruin was sought, but he determined to stand upon his guard. He ordered his subjects to retire to the mountains with their flocks and provender, and fortified the passes with all imaginable diligence. Whence, however easy it was thought at Cairo, to reduce a petty prince of the Arabians, those who were charged with the expedition found the difficulties almost insurmountable. Skilled in all the intricate mazes of that wild country, he terrified them with continual alarms, cut off their convoys, and by the advantage of situation repelled their most obstinate attacks.

But, however successfully he had defended himself, his dear princess tormented herself incessantly for being the fatal cause of his danger.

my

"Wretch that I am," would she frequently exclaim, "that beauty which heaven flattered me with as a pledge of my husband's happiness, that very beauty threatens to be his ruin! Do you see, my dear Hassein, the capriciousness of fate; I love I love you, and desire to live only for your sake; and yet I have the curse to see that very life become a snare to put an end to yours. Yes, yes, 'tis I that embitter your pleasures, and poison your repose; that waste your dominions with fire and sword. Without me you would have no enemy to endanger your estate, or calumniate your fame.-Perfidious beauty, how chimerical are thy advantages? how real thy calamities?" Hassein heard these delicate complaints with unfeigned affection, and cordially endeavoured to remove them. "No, madam," says he, "'tis not love, but avarice is the cause of our misfortune! The bashaw never loved, and you do him too much honour to suppose him capable of an inclination so noble? His brutal and savage heart doats only on my eme rald mine, and it is to the lust of rapine I am to be sacrificed: but how little will be his gain? Hassein was never the slave to fear; and in such a situation as mine, those who dare die, can disappoint, if not conquer, their enemies.

Neither, on the other hand, was the bashaw

wholly at ease: six months had already passed, and yet Hassein lived, and still possessed both his wife and his mine. Resolved, therefore, to be kept on the rack of expectation no longer, he levied half the force of Egypt, headed the expedition himself, surrounded the mountains on every side, and cut off every possibility even of a retreat.

The unfortunate Hassein, seeing himself now irreparably undone, had recourse to his last and only consolation: there were but six persons in the secret of the mines: these he sent for, and pointing to the Turkish forces ascending the hills on all sides. "My friends," said he, "those are the tyrants that have enslaved you, and murdered your princes: and I, the last of the miserable line, am now to follow them. You know the motive of this unjust invasion; the precious mine, which their avarice persuades them is infinitely more valuable than it really is. In one moment they will be here; and, in imagination, already devour their prey. But, if I am not deceived in your fidelity, that imagination is all they shall ever possess. Death, death will both deliver you from their merciless hands and disappoint their hungry avarice for ever. Depend upon it, your prince will not long survive you."

As he ended, with a glance of his eye, he shewed them the executioners ready with their bow-strings, to which those faithful subjects submitted with an alacrity beyond example. Hassein dropped some grateful tears upon their bodies, and flew to the tent of his dear princess to take his last leave:"Madam," said he, "the enemy is at hand, his standards even now arise between the hills: but, I have already had the pleasure of preventing half his triumph. My slaves, by their deaths, have sealed up the secret of the mine for ever. And for you, my dear spouse (added he, tenderly pressing her hand, as to take his last leave), live!"-Here, in spite of himself, tears, for a moment, hindered him from going on. "Live, my dear spouse→→ remember the unfortunate Hassein! remember his fidelity!"

He could add no more; but, quite overcome with tenderness, would have torn himself away, to conceal, if possible, the residue of what he suffered and designed. But the princess detained him by force: "Stay, Hassein!" cried she, in the anguish of her soul, "it is too soon to die; for that I know is your design, though you strive to conceal it from me. But have you thought me unworthy to bear you com pany? Do you believe me mean enough to sur