GENTLENESS IS POWER. 145 
At this moment a swarthy vapour was perceived at the farther end 
of the room, and from the darkness came forth a graceful form, beau- 
tiful and winged, that was about to address the king ; when, as from 
a sudden consciousness of danger, Caranza seized his hand, and look- 
ing full at the vision, vehemently repeated her last words—* confirm 
your resolution : cast him forth!” “I do,” replied Aborzuf, “ and 
will hereafter dedicate my life to deeds of mercy.” No sooner were 
the words uttered, than the form of the vision changed into one of 
monstrous shape and size, wherein were distinctly recognized the 
features of the demon-counsellor, yet distended and forced, as by 
venomous infusion, into frightful aggravation. With the bloated fury 
of disappointed lust he raged against his victim, making at the same 
time a motion to seize him in his clutches ; but on the instant, opposite 
to the princess and on the other hand of the king, was seen the sainted 
form of Sufieka, so like to her daughter that it seemed her very self 
beautified. With a calm look she waved back the shape, and said, “A 
higher power than thine, the author and dispenser of all benevolence 
wills that the self-corrector should undergo no other penance than the 
active prosecution of loving kindness and of all gentle deeds. Thy 
kingdom here is ended.” Then, turning to Aborzuf, who sat as one 
entranced, she continued: “ With reformed conduct, my son, shall 
come an answerable exterior: as thou hast returned to the innocence 
of thy childhood, thy form shall assume the consummate perfection 
of youthful promise.” So saying, she shrouded him from view as in 
a clouded veil, when, with the passing of a thought, the loathsome 
incrustation of ugliness fell from him as a slough, and the angel pre- 
sented to the bewildered and delighted Caranza a noble reward for 
all her filial piety, patience, and keen suffering, a reformed husband. 
Aborzuf was indeed reformed in every sense of the word; so com- 
plete was the change in his person, that the lovely creature stood 
gazing upon him in imploring wonderment, not daring to believe the 
truth of her senses. She thought it all a delusion, till he, uncon- 
scious of his altered appearance, and unable to account for her beha- 
viour, spoke to her. The sound of his voice, being the only thing 
she could recognize of his former self, and that, although sweet and 
manly, recalled so many bitter associations, that she fell and em- 
braced his knees, weeping. He continued his appeal, soothing, ani- 
nating, protesting in tones so honest and yet plaintive, that her heart 
unfolded as a flower to the sunbeam ; and, before the day had closed, 
the gentle creature found herself by turns upon his neck ; standing 
VOL. IX., NO. XXV. 19 
