_Pris._ A cause that has alone for fourteen years made me resigned to a fate like this.--When you first mentioned my release from this drear place, my wild ideas included, with the light, all that had ever made the light a blessing--'twas not the _sun_ I saw in my mad transport, but a lost husband filled my roving fancy--'twas his idea that gave the colours of the world their beauty, and made me fondly hope to grasp its sweets. _Has._ A husband! _Pris._ But the world that I was wont to enjoy with him--to see again without him--every well-known object would wound my mind with dear remembrances for ever lost, and make my freedom torture. _Has._ But yet---- _Pris._ Oh! on my knees a thousand times I have thanked Heaven that _he_ partook not of this dire abode--that he shared not with me my hard usage!--a greater blessing I possess'd from that, than all his loved society cou'd have given--but in a happy world, where smiling nature pours her boundless gifts!--oh! there his loss wou'd be unsufferable. _Has._ Do you lament him dead? _Pris._ Yes--or, like me, a prisoner--else he wou'd have sought me out--have sought his Arabella!--[Haswell _starts_.]--Why do you start? _Has._ Are you a Christian?--an European? _Ara._ I am. _Has._ The name made me suppose it.--I am shocked that----the Christian's sufferings--[_Trying to conceal his surprise._]--but were you made a prisoner in the _present_ Sultan's reign? _Ara._ Yes, or I had been set free on his ascent to the throne; for he gave pardon to all the enemies of the slain monarch: but I was taken in a vessel, where I was hurried in the heat of the battle with a party of the late Emperor's friends--and all the prisoners were by the officers of the present Sultan sent to slavery, or confined, as I have been, in hopes of ransom from their friends. _Has._ And did never intelligence or inquiry reach you from your husband? _Ara._ Never. _Has._ Never? _Ara._ I once was informed of a large reward for the discovery of a female Christian, and, with boundless hopes, asked an interview with the messenger; but found, on inquiry, _I_ could not answer his description, as he _secretly_ informed me it was the Sultan who made the search for one _he himself_ had known and dearly loved. _Has._ Good Heaven!--[_Aside._]--You then conclude your husband dead? _Ara._ I do;--or, like me, by some mischance, taken with the other party, and having no friend to plead his cause before the Emperor, whom he served---- _Has._ _I_'ll plead it--should I ever chance to find him--but, ere we can hope for other kindness, you must appear before the Sultan--thank him for the favour which you now decline, and tell the cause why you cannot accept it. _Ara._ Alas! almost worn out with sorrow--an object of affliction as I am--in pity, excuse me--present my thanks--my humble gratitude--but pardon my attendance. _Has._ Nay, you must go--it is necessary--I will accompany you to him.--Retire a moment; but when I send, be ready.