370 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER. 
the reft of her drefs was a blue fhift, which hung loofely ~ 
about her, and covered her down to her feet, though ie 
was not very rigoroufly nor very clofely difpofed all below 
her neck. She was the talleft of the middle fize, and not yet 
fifteen years of age; her whole features faultlefs; they might 
have ferved alone for the ftudy of a painter all his life, if he 
was in fearch of abfolute beauty. Her mother being an 
Arab of the tribe of Jehaina, her complexion was a dark. 
brown. Such was the beautiful Aifcach, daughter of the. 
eldeft of the ladies that I was then attending. 
NerTuer ficknefs nor medicine could‘prevent-thofe who : 
were prefent from difcovering plainly how exceedingly I 
was difconcerted. Adelan’s daughter faid to me, You will 
think nothing of the women in Atbara, after fo long a ftay. © 
in Abyflinia; but the women in Europe, they fay, are fo; 
white, that they are the handfomeft of all. I never 
was lefs perfuaded of that truth than at prefent, faid I; 
and I fee perfectly you obferve it. “ Aye, aye, fays her 
mother, and fo we do; if Aifcach was ill, you would take. 
better care of her than of either of us.” “ Pardon me;;, 
faid I, Madam; if the beautiful Aifcach was ill, I feel I. 
fhould myfelf be fo much affected. as not to be able. to ate. 
tend her at all.” 
Aiscach made the moft gracious inclination with her- 
head, to fhew fhe was perfectly fenfible of the compliment: 
The women laughed out aloud. “ Send for Yafine and 
your horfe from Ras el Feel, cries a voice behind me laughs © 
ing, but fpeaking perfect good Amharic; take her away, 
and earry her back with you to Abyflinia, Pll go with you 
. with all. my heart, and fo will fhe, I {wear to you.” I turn- Z 
: el 7 
