as I was still but a child, I was ordered to be instructed in music, dancing, singing, and every other accomplishment considered necessary for the ladies of a harem.  But I adhered to my resolution, every method to induce me to speak was tried in vain; even blows, torture from pinching, and other means were resorted to, but would not induce me to swerve from my resolution; at last they concluded that I was either born dumb, or had become so from fright at the time that the attack and slaughter of my family took place.  I was eighteen months in the harem of Osman Ali, and never spoke one word.

* * * * *

“Mashallah! but this is wonderful!” exclaimed the pacha—­“a woman hold her tongue for eighteen months!  Who is to believe this?”

“Not at all wonderful!” replied the old woman, “when you recollect that she was required to speak.”

* * * * *

Once and once only, did I nearly break through my resolution.  Two of the principal favourites were conversing in my presence.

“I cannot imagine,” said one, “what Ali can see in this little minx to be so infatuated with her.  She is very ugly—­her mouth is large—­her teeth are yellow—­and her eyes not only have no expression, but look different ways.  She has one shoulder higher than the other, and worse than all, being dumb, cannot be taught anything but dancing, which only shows her ugly broad feet.”

“That is all true,” replied the other.  “If I was Ali, I should employ her as a common slave; she is fit for nothing but to roll up and beat carpets, boil rice, and prepare our coffee.  A little of the slipper on her mouth would soon bring her to her senses.”

I must own that I was near breaking through my resolution, that I might have indulged my revenge, and had not the door suddenly opened, I should have proved to them that I could have spoken to some purpose, for never would I have ceased, until they had both been sewn up in sacks, and cast into the Bosphorus.  But I restrained myself, although my cheeks burned with rage, and I more than once put my hand to my jewelled dagger.

I was often visited by Osman Ali, who in vain attempted to make me speak; a harsh guttural sound was all which I would utter to express pain or pleasure.  At last, being convinced that I was dumb, he exchanged me with a slave-merchant for a beautiful Circassian girl.  He did not state my supposed infirmity, but gave it as a reason for parting with me, that I was too young, and required to be taught.  As soon as the bargain was struck, and the merchant had received the money which had been given by Ali to effect the exchange, I was despoiled of my dress and ornaments, and put in a litter, to be conveyed to the house of the slave-merchant.  As your highness may imagine, not a little tired of holding my tongue for a year and a half——­

* * * * *

“By the beard of the prophet, we can believe you on that point, good woman.  You may proceed.”