listened, blushed, and listened again, and when Hassan bad finished, his lips touched her hand, which he fervently pressed against his beart." Stranger," exclaimed the beauteous maid abruptly, and in confusion, "you sing uncommonly well!" "Who could do any thing indifferently in your presence?" replied Hassan; and both gazed at cach other for some moments, without being sensible of any thing but a palpitation of their hearts.

Hassan sat a long while in profound silence by the side of the charming maid, bis eyes expressing the ardour of his love. The maiden could not bear his scrutinizing looks, casting her eyes to the ground, whilst a crimson hue diffused itself ove her face. They both were silent; Hassan's hand gradually stole nearer that of his fair companion: she perceived it by a side glance; her hand shrunk, as if she were going to withdraw it, but she withdrew it

not.

"Ah sweetest girl!" sighed Hassan, laying bis haud upon her's, when the hands of both || began visibly to tremble. The girl answered not, nor did she wi hidraw her hand: her bosom | panted.

Thus they remained sitting till the sun de scended behind the palm-grove, when the maid suddenly exclaimed," My father!" upon which a cheerful old man stepped out of the bushes, and hastening towards the girl, kissed her brow with paternal tenderness. He then offered his band to Hassan, and having made him sit down again, enquired after his name. Hassan told him his name was Nadir.

"And what business has brought you hither, friend Nadir?"

“I wish to convince myself whether Hul- || kem really be the best and most generous of men, which all travellers pronounce him to be."

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"Yes, yes, people believe he his,” replied the old man smiling; and, for ought I know, they may have reason to think so; but as for my self

39

"I too, old friend, have great reason to be dissatisfied with Hulkem."

The old man smiled with marks of placid contentment, squeezing the young man's hand: "Come with me to my cottage, we must become better acquainted with each other; I see by your flashing eyes that you love truth. Come along with me, my cottage and all that I have is at your service."

"But do you know him sufficiently?"

"As well as my owuself; I have been his constant companion from his youth, and the sharer of all his secrets."

They went into the cottage.

The old man was no other person but Hulkem himself; he beckoned to his daughter not to discover his name, whilst they seated themselves upou a simple sofa, Zulima taking a seat opposite to them to listen to their couversation.

"Nadir," resumed Hulkem, laying hold of the young man's haud, "I like you, you may rely upon it that every thing I have is at your service. You will oblige me by considering all I have as your own. I may, perhaps, be able to atone to you for the injury you seem to have suffered by Hulkem."

"You then do not think that he is so wise, generous, and good, as he is reported to be?"

"May the great prophet preserve me from entertaining that opinion of Hulkem."

"Heaven be praised!" rejoined Hassan with animation, clasping the old man to his heart, ||

"What do you think of him?" interrupted || mistress.” Hassan eagerly.

Hassan flung himself down at Zulima's feet,

“¡ frequently bave reason to be dissatisfied seizing her hand and pressing it to his lips. with him."

"And what says my Zulima?" asked the father, whilst a tcar started from his eye, at the same time he laid hold of Zulima's hand, pres. sing it to his heart.

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Zulima flew from her seat, throwing herself into her father's arms, and exclaimed with unaffected tenderness: Who could possess more of my heart than the best of fathers?"

"The heart of my child!" replied Hulkem, but that young man sues for the heart of a

My heart pleads for him," said Zulima, deeply blushing; "but I do not know him." "I am Hassan!" exclaimed the young man eagerly, forgetful of his disguise.

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"Hassan!" repeated the father and bis daughter, seized with astonishment," the generous, beneficent Hassau!"—"Ab my boding

father, is Hulkem really so good?”

"He is no bad man; but no one is good but God; to-morrow then, a well-directed thrust, and my daughter is your wife."

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heart!" whispered Zulima, casting a tender || peated Hassan, knitting his brow; "say, my look on Hassan. "Your countenance bespeaks your virtue!" said Hulkem, raising Hassan from the ground, and clasping him to his heart: "Generous man! praised be Providence for having directed you to my cottage, and to the heart of my daughter. But, dear Hassan, you know, as yet, only the person of my child, and this, indeed, is charming enough. I must acquaint you first with her defects before I can permit you to sue for her band."

My wife?" repeated Hassan, putting his hand to his forehead; "but why so soon? Let me take time to become better acquainted with him? Why so soon?"

"Because he is to be married to my daughter to-morrow.

"To your daughter? Then he must die tomorrow! shew me the spot."

"And would Zulima bestow this hand upon me, together with all her defects?" said Hassan, drawing nearer towards the blushing maid. Zulima replied, “I am my father's daughter. He says that my heart is a treasure; render yourself deserving of possessing it." Zulima disappeared behind the curtains, and went into the garden, walking up and down between the rose-bushes."

Hulkem conducted him to the spot where he was wont to pray every morning."Look here," said he; "conceal yourself behind this bush. This place is lonely, and that hill is the spot where Hulkem prays every morning; he is an old man, a single blow will be suffi cieut."

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"Hearken, dear Hassan," resumed Hulkem familiarly, you sue for the heart of my daughter; but I must tell you that you will have to contend for the possession of it with a rival."

Hassan turned pale, and asked in trembling accents,-" And who is that rival?"

"He is a dreadful rival, more dreadful than you may think.”

"His name"Is Hulkem!" "Hulkem? By the living God his doom is unalterably fixed!" exclaimed Hassan, starting up with furious looks.

"But, Hassan, why are you thus enraged at him; in what has Hulkem offended you? Is he not an imitator of your virtues; is he not as zealous as yourself in doing good?"

"This is the very cause of my vexation, my father; whenever I intend to do a good action Hulkem has got the start of me; whenever I undertake any thing, or conceive a wish, HulKem has already accomplished it. His name is upon all lips, whilst mine is scarcely mentioned."

יין.

"This the spot where Hulkem prays?""repeated Hassan slowly; "and do you really know of no other spot?"

"Why do you hesitate? you wish to become great and celebrated; Hulkem stands in your way; and whilst he lives will continue to eclipse you. The caliphs have sacrificed mil lions to their glory, and you hesitate to dispatch a single individual, who to-morrow night will be folded in the arms of your mistress."

"He shall die!" said Hassan, trembling. He hastened so quickly with staggering steps through bushes and briars that the old mau was scarcely able to keep up with him.

Hassan was immersed in a profound reverie the whole evening, paying no atteution to the old man's conversation, nor even to Zulima's playing on the lute. He went to rest, but the elastic pillow burned like fire underneath his head; he rose before the rays of the sun gilded the eastern clouds.

Zulima, early in the morning, appeared before Hassan as beautiful as an angel. "My father," said she, blushing, "has sent me to desire you to make haste, and to tell you that my hand shall be the reward of your deed. Hassan, I love you," added she, trembling, and with great emotion, reclining her cheek against his heart; but scon springing from his arms she hastily withdrew.

Hassan grasped the poniard, shuddering, examined the point, and went reluctantly. He went in search of Zulima's father, but could not find him; nor could he discover where his mistress was. Meeting a slave in the garden he grasped his hand and said, "Ah! how unhappy am I," and then stole trembling through the bushes.

After a long ramble he discovered, at last,

THE BOND-STREET LOUNGER.

rector of the parish is in town, and will protect us on our journey: he calls on me to-morrow in a post-chaise. But oh, Sir! whilst I have mind to form a prayer, and strength to articulate it, you will be its object. My gratitude,

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my

Sir Robert carelessly slung his arm through that of my Lord, and they walked off. At Charing-cross the Baronet stepped into a hackney-coach, ordered whither to drive, and his Lordship seated himself by his side. "An odd street you told the fellow to drive to; but I suppose you are able to prevail on your favourites to live cheaply."-" Yes, faith! I cannot complain; the girl we are now going to, has cost me but two guineas a week since 1 have known her, all expences included."— "You are a lucky fellow," said Lord G. "I wonder where you find such moderate damsels."-"Oh, they are to be found in every parish, if you won't shut your eyes."

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The friends soon arrived at a low house, in a dirty street. They ascended two pair of stairs. Sir Robert gently tapped at a chamber door, and a little girl of about five years old opened it; her long ringlets were flaxen, and her eyes were blue; a smile of delight, when she beheld the visitor, severed her sweet lips,fied Lord G. whose eyes were the only orgaus and revealed a set of pearls that were worthy of them. "Ah!" said she, "how happy my mamma will be that you are come!" The gentleman took her hand in silence, and, followed by the other, entered the apartment. A beautiful spectre sat in a chair opposite to the door, and endeavoured to rise as they approached. The gentleman immediately prevented her by seating himself with a respectful air at her side; whilst his friend, looking all astonishment, was obliged to find his seat on the foot of the bed.

of speech he had found since they entered it, They, indeed, had very volubly expressed curiosity, wonder, and a sort of half uneasiness, as though he felt himself taken in. The frolic was not of his sort.

"And how are you, madam?"—"Oh, Sir,|| better, much better; something has happened since yesterday that will lengthen my life at least a week.”—" Many weeks, I hope," replied her friend," and months, and years. But pray tell it."

"My husband's relations,” replied the invalid, "at length relent; they think my sufferings have been sufficient; they invite me to the country to die with them, and have promised to provide for my child. Oh! my little Fauny," clasping her to her heart, “thou art preserved from ruin; when I have seen thee in the arms of thy natural protectors, I shall breathe my last sigh with joy; but ever remember, that it was this gentleman who preserved thee from the grave, when thy poor famished mother." Sir Robert stopped her, and made his congratulations on the change of her prospects. He inquired when she began her journey, and how she wished to be accommodated. "Ah, Sir!" she said, "your generous cares are concluded. "See," presenting a bank note of ten pounds, "what they have sent me! and, besides this, the

"My dear madam, I must stop you; your feelings overvalue those acts of duty which I have been happy enough to find an opportunity of performing. Believe me, I feel the obligation to be all on my side; and, amongst my happiest hours, I shall always account that which made me known to you. You have some preparations to make for the morning, and I will therefore shorten my visit; but I shall wait on you before the hour of your departure, and see you and your sweet daughter in the protection of the clergyman who is to escort you."

He bowed to the mother; and kissing Fanny, left the apartment, followed by the half-petri

After he had walked about ten yards, he exclaimed, "Why, what the devil is all this, Sir Robert?"-" Why, as the devil would have it," replied the Baronet, "the amiable creature you have seen, made what is called a lovematch; that is, tempted by the brilliancy of the adventure, she left her guardian's protection one dark night, and went into a postchaise with a young fellow, who had sworn she was the prettiest girl he had seen since he had served in America, where he had been desperately in love with a young lady, her very counter-part. They returned full of spirits from Gretna Green, and in about seven months received her fortune, on the day the law pronounced her to be discreet and wise. It was no more than two thousand pounds, and our married couple were persons of taste. The youth's relations having provided him an old woman with twenty thousand, thought the election he had made a very silly one, and refused to have any communication with him. The young man began to take up the same opinion, and treated his wife with neglect and brutality. He had, at length, the kindness to relieve her from his persecutions, by quitting England; leaving her independent, with a fortune of nine pounds and a few shillings. The poor lady, then a mother, applied to her relations; they were at first kind, then civil, then cold, then rude, and finally hoped to be troubled with her no more; advised her to send

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have begun my morning circle with me-
"My horses are waiting for me," said Lord G.
"So are mine," replied Sir Robert, "I dine
to-day twenty miles from town: my visit,
therefore, will not be a long one" At this
instant he knocked at the door of a house, in
appearance much like that they had quitted.

"This is very particular!" said my Lord,
with an air half pettish; he thought it, how.
ever, not expedient to take to his heels, and
there seemed no other possible method of get-
ting quit of his leader.

When an Italian Countess, in the court of Mary de Medicis, was tried for having bewitched her royal mistress, she told her judge and accusers, that she never had employed any supernatural means to govern the mind of the Queen; nor had ever possessed any other ascendant over it, than that which a strong mind must naturally have over a weak one.

her child to the parish, and to take in needlework. In the last article she obeyed them; and, by unremitting industry, and the strictest frugality, supported herself and her infant for four years. But the constant wearing of grief at length subdued her constitution, and a rapid decline ensued. Her landlady, having discovered that the sewing business was at an eud, and not having received any money for several weeks, thought such idle hussies a disgrace to her house, and ought to be made an example of. She accordingly sent for a bailiff, who, as he found his prisoner in bed, was so humane as to allow her to put her clothes on; then, taking her arm, he helped her down stairs, pale and speechless, followed by the shrieking Fauny. At this instant I happened to pass the door. It is not necessary to add what ensued. As I found her too ill to be removed, I was obliged to suffer her to return to the beldam's apartment. Having in repeated visits learned her story, and the names of her husband's friends, I wrote to my sister, whose country-house is fortunately in the neighbourhood. She represented the distress and the merits of the amiable sufferer, and had influence with them, being a lady, (for they are mean, though rich) to prevail that she might be received as the wife of their unworthy kinsman. An uncle said, if she was a sober body, she should not want encouragement; and a maiden aunt, that girls ought not to be countenanced to run away with young fellows, but that if she was really dying, she might come down, and if she behaved well, should have the honour of being buried in the family-vault. It is in consequence of my application, of which she was not apprized, that these good people have sent for her; and I am persuaded, when - her mind is at ease, she will have a chance to send aunt Tabby to the family-vault before her. You now know all that I can tell you, in answer to your What the devil!

This sort of sorcery Sir Robert practised to such a degree, that there were few of his intimate companions who were ever hardy enough to maintain an opinion opposite to his; and not only did they not support a contrary opinion, but insensibly changed their own, their sentiments, and their wishes; seeming cmulous to be as nearly as possible, what he was; whose understanding was of the first order, whose heart was pure, and who was, so far from being puritanical, that his taste lent grace to fashion, and was aided by an appetite for expence, which could only be corrected by his still stronger passion for independence.

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Such was he who now entered the confined unwholesome chamber of an old man, approaching fast to dissolution. The curtains of the bed were open, and disclosed the venerable object, supported by his nurse. His sand was running low: the pallid hue of death had already taken possession of his cheek, and the living lustre of the eye began to be dimmed by the deep shade of its approaching night. Lord G. remained silent. He began to feel His faculties, however, seemed yet awake, and that there were other methods to get rid of the voice of his benefactor called a faint flush, superfluous money in a morning, besides back-which struggled a moment in his face, and gammon; and that rides in the Park might now and then he intersected by a walk to the distressed. But just afterwards he began to gape; thought all such melancholy subjects || ought to be avoided; they were absolutely burtful to the spirits; how could a man enjoy life, who was perpetually searching into scenes of misery; and then, really, one's healthAt that thought, he turned suddenly round, with a "Good morning, Sir Robert," and was darting across the way. "Hold," said his friend, "here is a person, few doors off, whom I cannot avoid calling on; and as you

then subsided for ever.

"Ah, Sir," said he, "you, whose soul is so full of benevolence! you, to whom the tear which steals from your eye in pity, is dearer than that which gushes there from rapture; to you this moment will not be unwelcome! I speak not of myself; for the hour is arrived in which I shall cease to mourn; in which this wearied heart will render up its last sigh to him who gave the agonizing nerve. Another child of sorrow is at hand! This long, sad night, in which my soul has been struggling to meet its God, the melancholy inhabitant of