Sebastian grieved that he must destroy this agreeable illusion: nothing could exceed the distress of Abbas, when he heard that the friend by whose great qualities he intended henceforth to model his own character, was drawn by some strong though secret tie, to another quarter of the globe. Sebastian had requested an escort for himself and Kara Aziek to the port of Cairo, from whence he meant to transport themselves to some maritime town of Italy, whence they might embark in one of those vessels which carried on a contraband trade with Brazil. Arguments were in vain to combat a resolution which duty commanded him to keep inviolate: Sebastian believed himself called on to seek the recovery of those rights, with which Providence had originally invested him; and drawn by a more powerful, because more grateful friendship for Gaspar, than that which Abbas excited, reined in with difficulty an expression of his in patience to be gone. Finding persuasions and intreaties equally useless, and convinced by the strong emotion of his deliverer, that no common motive impelled his conduct, the Sophi yielded to necessity and promised him the escort,--while reluctantly pronouncing this promise, he tried to console himself by thinking that some little time must be allowed for the preparation of suitable marks of the Persian empire’s esteem and regret: the nuptials too of its sovereign ought to be graced by his friend’s appearance; and if that friend meant to make Kara Aziek his own by the forms of the Christian church, he must delay yet longer. The hope of thus detaining him awhile, revived the Sophi, and dismissing his saddened looks, he prepared to enjoy present happiness while it lasted. From this period Good Fortune might be said to place her throne at Ispahan. The Turks were driven out of Syria and forced to sue for peace, which Abbas insured to his people, by granting on liberal terms to the humbled enemy: success and cheerful obedience followed the acts of his new government; his marriage was solemnized with every demonstration of joy by his subjects: and the nuptials of Sebastian, though performed almost secretly in the chapel of the ambassador, were so far from displeasing the Persians, that they celebrated them with acclamations of pleasure. Alone and unconnected, far from her country, and voluntarily abandoning it for ever, Kara Aziek saw in the husband to whom she gave herself, her world, and her felicity! It was sweet to her tender heart to find no object share it with him! Wanted she other affection? O no!--was it not sufficient to concentrate upon one being, every sentiment which weakens by diffusion? When Sebastian received her into his arms as the ambassador’s chaplain closed the book of prayer, when he held her against his heart that throbbed with the conviction of their eternal union, what a sacred joy stilled all those tumultuous feelings with which he had counted the moments, and hurried on the ceremony!