THK IRON NAIL. 417 



*' Illustrious Mohammed !" she said, when her suite retired, " may 

 the Prophet in his goodness guard you ! Many a month has no 

 elapsed since I quitted Syria with my husband with the intention of 

 fixing our abode in this country. When traversing this road, my hus- 

 band may the favour of heaven alight upon him as the dews of the 

 morning on the palms of Bagdad ! has become enchanted with the 

 beauty of your palace, and has the most vivid desire to possess it, 

 He offered you in exchange the small sum of a million of piastres ; it 

 must have been without thought ; he has never seen the beauty of 

 the Serail, and those Persian kiosks, the freshness of these gardens, 

 with their living waters and their scented trees. He returned to offer 

 two millions, which you doubtless will refuse ; but most gracious 

 Effendi, as our riches are great, will you condescend to name your 

 own terms ; for my husband has such anxiety to possess the place, 

 and fears so much your refusal, that a violent illness has seized him, 

 and I fear for his life. I should be eternally obliged by this favour 

 you would for ever merit my friendship and esteem." At this mo- 

 ment the wind raised the light veil of muslin that concealed her 

 countenance, and Zahab beheld, as he thought, one of the houries of 

 Paradise a countenance radiant as the east, a neck fairer than the 

 pearls that twined around it lips like the rose, and embellished with 

 the sweetest smile. Zahab was struck, as by an enchanter s wand 

 he promised everything, and his fajr guest arose to depart. 



" Your husband is from Syria," said he ; " pray make him known 

 to me?" 



" His name is AH Effendi." The countenance of the Arab grew 

 as dark as midnight he turned aside to hide its expression the 

 name aroused bitter recollections of things long past. 



" Then are you the beautiful Ildiz ?" he asked, inquiringly. 



" That is my name." 



" I ought to have guessed it from the lustre of those eyes. Madam, 

 command me as you will, my palace and all that belongs to it is 

 already yours ; I have but one condition to make, which whoever 

 possesses my palace must agree to. Say to your husband, Madam, that 

 I will await him here to sign the contract." 



Hardly had the beautiful Ildiz departed from the palace, attended 

 by her slaves and servants, when Zahab retired thoughtfully to his 

 chamber. That evening was marked by silence throughout the man- 

 sion. No music was heard the dancers were still not a light 

 gleamed from the casement the mind of Zahab was absorbed in one 

 sole object the beauty of Ildiz had taken possession of his soul. 



Meantime the Syrian was not long in waiting upon his ancient 

 friend ; but Mohammed- Ilderim was so changed that the mother 

 who bore him would not have recognized her son. In the bright- 

 complexioned joyous countenance of the rich Zahab who could trace 

 the dark thin features of the Bedouin ? During their conference, 

 Ildiz, attended by her women and accompanied by some' friends, 

 walked in the gardens, and found something to admire at every step. 

 She was soon joined by her husband, who, full of joy, told her the 

 contract was signed, and that henceforth the palace and all that be* 



M. M. No. 100. 3 H 



