242 
THE ORIENTAL ANNUAL. 
of the utter inanity of his fancied happiness, and 
he lamented, while he had not strength to grapple 
with, the dark passions which were coiling themselves 
around his throbbing heart. The momentary pre- 
sence of such images left clouds of sadness lingering 
upon that fine brow where hitherto peaceful content 
alone had rested, and this unwonted gloom, though 
only occasional, failed not to attract the notice of the 
wife. Her first smile soon became unable to dispel 
it, and fearful of evil she sought an explanation of 
the change, but was quite unable to comprehend the 
half-confessed reasons alleged by the husband, and 
taxed him with growing indifference. At first, with 
tenderness he combatted the idea, but finding his 
assurances fail of conviction, he at length ceased to 
reply to her continual enquiries about his melan- 
choly, and from that moment the woman’s affection 
was turned from him. 
The favourite soon became aware of his changed 
position, for the same breath which poured the accent 
of querulous complaint and unkindness on his ear 
bore the soft murmur of tenderness to the revived 
senses of his former rival. The gifts, fond tokens of 
the woman’s love, were one by one resumed and 
bestowed upon his replaced enemy, who already began 
to retaliate the indignities which he had suffered while 
out of power ; the especial luxuries of the fallen lord 
were all appropriated to enhance the love of his hated 
opponent, and not without contemptuous smiles and 
