to be in the company of the good and the blessed, and scarcely more free from unholy taint than when in the flesh she deigned to become my companion."

He had scarcely uttered these words than Narina, with a countenance glowing with delight, leaped into his arms, and with both hers encircling his neck, buried her face in his bosom. They sank down together upon a seat, and the old shepherd, quickly putting the ring upon the finger of the king, hurried from the room, which had instantly become conscious of a heavenly presence.

After such time had been passed as allowed of Narina to describe to her father the events of her life, with the uniform tenderness and watchful care of the good old shepherd and his wife, at his desire she left the room, and returned to it again accompanied by her faithful friend; when the king took him by the hand, and told him that it was his own wish, and particularly that of his daughter, that he and the affectionate Sherzaran should return with them to his own country, where they should pass the remainder of their days in peace, and in such occupation as they might choose for their own delight. "You shall still be my Narina's father," added he, "and I hope you will be my friend. As for the precious articles

that were discovered in the chest on the sea, the shoes shall remain with her; the ring will be mine, for by means of its virtue I shall recover the society of one from whom I ought never to have been estranged; and you, as the long-tried champion and protector of our Narina, shall still keep the dagger in charge for her defence in time of need."

"It is hard to take with safety an old tree from its soil," said Ben Hafiz; "and still harder to change the course of

its growth and habit: if, therefore, my lord will permit me still to continue my peaceful employment of tending my old friends and fleecy companions, and once a day to come and look upon the face of her whose affectionate gratitude and cheerful obedience have been the delight of my heart for eleven happy years, I will follow him and her throughout the world."

The king instantly accorded with the worthy shepherd's request. Ben Hafiz and his wife were lodged that night in the palace. Who now was so happy as Sherzaran? - her dreams of greatness had been fulfilled! But how much more happy was her husband; for he closed his eyes for the night with the pleasing reflection of having performed his duty; added to which, he received the approbation of the celestial spirit, who informed him that, as he had been the protector of the helpless, true to his word, and faithful and zealous in his undertaking, he had already received his reward in this life, by the possession of a good and therefore happy conscience: "What your lot may be in the life to come, Ben Hafiz," said the angel-mother, "I may not disclose; rest satisfied, however, with the assurance that the Great Being, in whose sight I draw an eternity of bliss, can in nowise cast forth those who strive to imitate him in acts of long-suffering and loving-kindness."