“Do I,” said he, “behold the marvel of my capital, to whom report has ascribed such unrivalled perfections?” “The king beholds the daughter of his slave,” said Agha, with her eye fixed somewhat proudly on the youthful monarch. “He is henceforward free for the daughter’s sake,” said the sovereign, approaching and offering to take her hand. She retired, and said gravely, “I am an intruder here; may I be permitted to withdraw? It shall be my care not to intrude again upon the king’s privacy.” “Such intrusions are blessings for which the proudest monarchs of the earth would barter their sceptres. Talk not of intruding, Queen of the Graces!--not only these gardens are henceforth free to thee, but every part of the palace. The sunshine of thy smile will produce a harvest of delight wherever it glows.” “The daughter of a slave is but an abject thing at best; but the king’s mockery tends to remind her how complete is her abjection.” Saying this, she withdrew, leaving the two brothers in a state of blended admiration and amazement. Shums-ood-Deen, in the ardour of youthful enthusiasm, had he a throne to offer, felt that he would willingly make her the partner of it on the instant; but Gheias-ood-Deen was influenced by a less sanctified passion. He thought that the offspring of a slave could not for a moment object to be the concubine of a king; nor did he imagine that the slightest impediment would be raised to the proposal, which he contemplated the instant he saw the exquisite beauty of Lallcheen’s daughter. “What think you, brother, of this girl?” asked Gheias-ood-Deen. “That until now I had no idea of the beautiful inhabitants of Paradise. I feel my soul elated! Oh! with such a creature I could enjoy more than happiness in this lower world! Had I a throne, she should be my queen.” “Silly boy!” said the brother, pettishly; “the daughters of slaves do not become thrones.” “But, brother, the daughter of a slave is at this moment the mother of a king.” “A bad precedent is not to be followed; therefore no more of this. You must discourage your raptures for the child of Lallcheen; she must become part of my household. I love her, but as monarchs love menials--for their pleasures, and my purpose must not be crossed, Shums-ood-Deen.”