Queen Aelfa's Scheme 



spection with the seal of confidence, and he swore before- 

 hand to abide by the plan which she thus disclosed : — 



" It is well known, O king, that force will not overcome 

 this traitor, who is assisted by the powers of the air ; but 

 though man can do nothing in such a case, it does not 

 follow that a woman might not. Send me, therefore, with 

 a dozen of the most worthless of thy guard, as if I were 

 going down to the sea." 



^'■Wallah aalyekiV cried the old king; "and if thou hadst 

 fifty of my best men, what are they to this hornets' nest, 

 which exceedeth an hundred, beside the Jinns of the moun- 

 tain ? This dog would certainly slay thy escort, and take 

 possession of thyself." 



"That is what I anticipate. He will take me to his 

 bosom, and when I have obtained his confidence, I will 

 betray him into thy hand." 



"But in the meantime, and perchance for ever, I lose 

 thee, O daughter of my soul. Cannot some of thy women 

 do this in thy place ? " 



" It was said by the sage, Wisaakir, that there is no 

 great gain without some little loss ; as to sending one of 

 my women, which of them can I trust r How can I tell 

 that she might not prefer the robber's cave to Alhambra's 

 gilded prison, and never attempt to return ? " 



" Thou sayest well. Nay," added the old king, thought- 

 fully stroking his beard, " how am I sure even of thee ? 

 As the singer hath said, 



' Deem not that any oath can bind 

 The fickle troth of womankind ! 

 They change their minds and break their oaths, 

 As they break bread and change their clothes. 

 Their love and hate in treacherous trim 

 Are poised upon a captious whim '" 



217 



