purpose, and thought only of revenge.  I feigned to be less averse to him, and before our journey was over, had used all my powers of fascination with triumphant success.  At last our wearied horses arrived at Stamboul, and after waiting in the suburbs till the evening closed in, that the cavalcade might not attract attention, it proceeded to the house of Abdallah, and I was once more in the precincts of a harem.  The Georgian slave hastened to meet me when she was informed of our arrival, and taking off her slipper, she struck me contemptuously on the mouth, with such force as to cause the blood to flow.

“Now, sultana,” cried she, “the day is mine; again shall you receive the bastinado.  Aye, and again shall the bowstring be applied to your proud neck, and more effectually than before.”  She then ordered her slaves to strip me, and put on the meanest attire.  When that was done, she spat in my face, and left me without speaking; but the flashing of her eyes gave evidence of the fiery passions which were raging in her bosom.

In the meantime, Abdallah had proceeded to the palace, to present to the sultan the document proving my safe arrival, and having so done, he hastened back to his own house.  As soon as he entered the harem, instead of visiting the Georgian slave, who had arrayed herself for his reception, he inquired of the astonished women in which chamber I had been accommodated.  They hesitatingly replied, pointing it out to him.  He entered, and found me clothed in a slave’s dress, with my face covered with blood.  When I stated the treatment I had received, and the further threat of the bastinado and the bowstring, his rage was beyond all bounds.  Ordering all the women to attend me, he quitted me, that I might resume my own dress, intimating that he hoped that I would allow him to sup with me that evening.  My desire for revenge induced me to grant his request, and he quitted the harem to look after the treasure of which I had been robbed.

In the meantime, the other women had communicated to the Georgian slave all that had occurred, and she was frantic at the information.  Fearful of her, I kept my door fast until the arrival of Abdallah, who sent to inquire whether I would receive him.  He was admitted, and again expressed his indignation at the conduct of my rival, offering, as a proof of his attachment, to abandon her to my resentment.  I had no time for reply before the door was burst open, the Georgian flew in and aimed her dagger at my heart.  Abdallah had sufficient time to ward the blow, and as the weapon passed through his left arm, with his right hand he dashed her on the floor.  Pale with rage and pain he called his people.  “She threatened you, Zara, with the bastinado and the bowstring.  She has sealed her own doom.”

By his orders her slippers were torn off, and she received fifty blows of the bastinado; then, as she screamed with pain, and held up her hands for mercy, the mutes were summoned, and the bowstring was applied.  My revenge was more than satiated, and I covered up my eyes that I might not be a witness to the dreadful spectacle.  When I removed my hands, I found Abdallah only in the apartment, and my rival lying a blackened corpse upon the floor.