parley with a considerable number of the troop that had so lately passed her. After a long colloquy, the chief domestic or khansamah, came to her and informed her in a very few words of the subject of it. It was simply and absolutely a refusal to permit her to continue her journey. She must submit, they said, to become their prisoner and enter the city with them.

He had scarcely finished his explanation when her bridle was seized on either side, and two strong and stern looking men, forbade by their firm grasp all hope of escape. She dropped the reins; with clasped hands she looked imploringly around, and with a trembling voice bade her servant tell, on what errand she was going. They would then let her pass she was assured.

He shook his head and whispered to her that that would be worst of all; for that as far as he had been able to gather, the defeated Rajah was one of this very party.

Harriet could not inspire him with any belief like her own, respecting what a generous enemy might do in such a case. He would not say what she wished; and respectfully, but firmly counselled submission. He was evidently alarmed at the position in which he found himself, between his responsibility for her safety and his dread of these people.

Harriet must submit. And now they all proceeded rapidly to the city, which they entered through a lofty gateway flanked by towers. The streets were extremely narrow, and quite dark from the great height of the houses on each side. Though here and there a balcony, or verandah, or turret, ornamented with carved wood or stone, projected from the walls, yet for the most part the tall mansions, bare and towering presented rather the aspect of prisons or fortresses than any thing else.

At length, the massive gate of one of

VOL. II.

L

these habitations was opened for her, and she discovered that it was far from being a dismal abode. She passed from the street into a quadrangle, in the centre of which was a fountain, and along three of its sides were terraces ornamented with shrubs and flowers, Servants in white tunics carried torches hither and thither, and lighted up this scene, the most truly oriental that Harriet had yet beheld. The apartments of the women were in that part of the building which did not look on the street, and they were pointed out to her.

But not to these did she retire before she had strung together her few words of Hindostanee, and caused her wish for an interview with the Rajah, to be conveyed to him. She leaned against the balustrade surrounding the fountain, whilst waiting a reply to her message; and when it came an unfavourable one-she felt disposed to add her tears to the falling,

murmuring water. But summoning to her bosom all her woman's fortitude, often a better courage than man's daring, she conquered her weakness and turned silently to follow her servant. He had already placed in the room destined for her the necessary articles for her toilette.

The lamp which he held, threw the light before her, and some one in the shade drew near softly, whispering, "eat, refresh yourself, and sleep-you are safe. Remember that what is decreed, whether for good or for evil, comes from the hand of the All-wise."

She strained her eyes after the figure, that glided from her side, these words being spoken. She thought it was the faqueer's. But at least the words were friendly, and she lay down to rest calm in her sorrow.

That seemed above the grasp of time,
Were severed from the haunts of men
By a wide deep, and wizard glen.
So fathomless, so full of gloom,
No eye could pierce the void between:
Like distant thunder from below

Was heard the foaming torrent's flow.
Thither the vanquished hero led

His little army's last remains,

O'er a dark, narrow bridge-way, known

To him and to his chiefs alone,

They crossed the chasm, and gained the towers,

"This home," he cried, "at least is ours

Here, happy that no tyrant's eye

Gloats on our torments-we may die!"

MOORE.

ON the following morning Harriet was,

even before daylight, roused from her slum