and worse; her uneasiness on my account, and her doubts of her brother's honour, were too much for a frame so delicate as hers. All the difficulties of my situation preyed upon her mind; my want of a friend and adviser at her death; my probable separation from my child in the event of my father's giving me in marriage. I was obliged to turn comforter, and speak of hopes I did not entertain. Death at last deprived me of this best and only friend; my grief was unbounded; and my father fearing for my health, ordered my removal to Algiers. He sought to dissipate the gloom which hung over me by a participation in those pleasures which women in our country seldom enjoy. But after a time, anxious to return to a spot which contained my child, and where the only probability existed of my ever hearing from Velasquez, I begged leave to return and indulge my friendship for Olinda, by erecting an urn to her memory near the Peri's grot. My request was granted, and my father promised to spend part of the summer with me. In vain I searched for some token of my lover's return. Cruel reality!-he had ceased to remember Zulema: nearly two years had elapsed, and hope delayed maketh the heart sick.' My greatest pleasure was in watching the progress of my boy, who was healthful and joyous; or at the close of evening wandering around the scene of my former happiness, where the images of my inconstant lover and deceased friend seemed again to float before me, rendering me at once both more happy and more wretched.

"One evening, overcome with these melancholy recollections, I stayed later than usual, absorbed in a listless feeling of apathy and despair, when the figure of a man stood dark between me and the pale horizon. Yielding to the emotions I have described, I did not stir, until I heard my own name breathed in a voice that sent all the blood chilly to my heart.

"I started on my feet, and in another moment was enfolded in the arms of Velasquez. How easy is it for a lover to make his peace with a mistress, more eager to find excuses than faults! My love had received a shock, by the slow but sure conviction of his ingratitude and coldness; for strong passion cannot perhaps exist where the object proves to be baseminded or ungenerous: more flagrant vices may be overlooked or excused; but the heart revolts from treachery and meanness. Yet, now that I heard him lament a train of misfortunes which had prevented his sooner coming to my succour, I listened with fond credulity, and blamed my own weakness, which had sunk under threatened difficulties, In few words, he informed me that he had met with some of his brave comrades whom he had supposed to have perished,that, at length, they had succeeded in bringing their ship to that part of the coast which I inhabited, and that if I was prepared, that very night should convey me for ever from my country and my fears.

"The sound of approaching footsteps and voices allowed me but time to fix the following night for our escape; and charging him to keep close, I went out to

meet the slaves who came in search of me.

I was in

formed by them that my father had just arrived, and demanded me. I hastened to the house, and was re-, ceived by him with his usual kindness. He appeared in extraordinary good humour, yet his manner was more than usually tender; and as he pressed me to his bosom and kissed my forehead, he seemed nearly moved to tears. My spirits had been much agitated by my interview with Velasquez; and now, overcome by my father's emotion, I wept profusely. Alas! I soon found that the agitation he had displayed was caused by the news he had to impart, and the near approach of our separation, for he had determined on my marriage; and with a view of calming my grief, (which he imagined flowed from the same source as his own) presented me with a profusion of costly jewels, bidding me on the morrow appear decked in them, as he meant to present me to my intended husband, who had accompanied him hither. I had no power to think or to remonstrate, but, confused with a multitude of opposite feelings, bowed acquiescence, and begged leave to retire. When alone, I revolved all the perplexities of my situation: the tenderness I felt for my father was repelled by the horror of his giving me in marriage to a man, who, from being unknown, could have no part in my affection. The arrival of Velasquez at so critical a period seemed like a providential interference in my behalf; but when I thought over his looks and words, I could not but remember a certain coldness and embarrassment, that

he had never asked after Olinda or his child, yet had been minute and pressing that I should bring all my valuables with me. Yet again, I thought, might not this arise from a wish to secure my ease and comfort, and that this superior anxiety had made him forget all other ties? My father's last present had enabled me to gratify my lover's wishes, and I determined to fly on the following night, although my heart ached at the dissimulation I was obliged to practise towards my old, fond parent. I will pass over the particulars of the interview which took place on the morrow between my intended husband (an old Emir) and myself. He was indifferent, reserved, and haughty-I, passive, trembling, and pale as death. My heart rejoiced that it had the means of avoiding this detestable being, and with tender delight contrasted the graceful form of Velasquez with this uncouth being.

"As soon as night assured me that the family were safe, I set out for the Peri's grot. All doubts, all fears of Velasquez had subsided, and I seemed equal to encounter any danger that was endured for his sake and that of the dear child I carried in my

arms.

"Fortunately I met no one-Velasquez was waiting; but, instead of the pleasure which I had anticipated the sight of his boy would have given to him, he turned from it coldly, and even blamed me for encumbering our flight with an infant of two years old.He would have been safe and well in your father's

household,' said he, whereas a narrow cabin and boisterous ocean afford but rough nursing for so delicate an infant.' But seeing me alarmed, and grieved by his peevish manner, he begged my pardon, and excused himself by reason that his comrades were rude and unlearned, and might not approve of so young a traveller being of their company. We quitted the Pavilion, and set out for the ship; which, when -we had pierced the grove of trees, appeared on the clear, blue horizon, like a small pointed black rock; while here and there, a silvery streak of light shewed on its white sails: a low whistle from Velasquez was answered by several others. These he informed me were his comrades, who lay with a boat off shore to conduct us to the vessel-he threw his cloak round. me and the child, and lifted us into the boat.

66 Though there was no moon the night was clear and starry, and lent light sufficient to shew the rough and ferocious countenances of our companions. My heart first knew fear in their presence, first felt the conviction that cruelty and wickedness dwell among men. Scarcely a word passed in our way to the ship, and my eyes turned with pleasure from the wild beings around me, to look out upon the sparkling track their oars raised on the dark green sea. As soon as we had reached the vessel, Velasquez conducted me to a small room below, which he called the cabin. It was low roofed and the air seemed stagnant and oppressive loaded with the exhalations of tobacco and spirits, the vapour of this room or the motion