“My story will not be much longer;” he observed, “it is enough to tell thee that Kara Aziek reached her home in safety, where the ablest physicians were employed to restore her health: but her soul languished for thee, my son, and medicines cannot reach the soul.--her father too, happy in beholding her again, and moved by her melancholy, though ignorant of its cause, consented to defer sending information of her safety to the Basha of Syria, till our prophet should have heard the prayers of the physicians: this indulgence somewhat revived her, yet her heart drooped again, for she believed thee lost. Wasted by sorrow and sickness, every one supposed her fast descending to Hades, when lo, her looks brightened, her spirit overflowed with joy, and she revived to a second life. This wonderful change was wrought in her, by one of those events which Providence orders, but which erring mortals so often attribute to chance.” Dost thou not remember, prince, having found a traveller in the road to Riffa, whom robbers had stripped and left covered with wounds?--thou did’st carry him in thine arms to the house of thy master, thy pious cares restored him to life, he sojourned with thee five days, at parting, thy words were these, “Moor, do not thank _me_, thank Christ, whose servant I am, and who has taught me to succour even those who deny his name.” “Yes--I remember this man, but what had he to do with my fate?” “Much,” returned Abensallah, “see how good actions bless themselves!--this man came to Mequinez to visit a brother, who is married to Kara Aziek’s favorite woman: he spoke of thee, he detailed thy humanity, described thy person, and thy discourses, but chiefly he spoke of yon faithful animal, whom he had heard thee call thy preserver from shipwreck: at this relation Benzaide ran to her mistress, transfused her own hopes into her bosom, and quickly suggested a mode of being satisfied.--The Almoçadem El Hader, had been just offered the government of Benzeroel; Kara Aziek was to persuade him to accept it, as that step would bring her into a cavila near thee. “No sooner was she removed thither, than remembering thy accounts of Abensallah, she dispatched messengers for me, partly that I might teach her how best to thank the great prophet for restoring her health, partly to interest me with her own anxiety: the sad story she had to tell of thy misfortunes, renewed all my affection, I set out, and found thee.”