“Kadiga,” said the king, “I know you to be one of the most discreet women in the whole world, as well as one of the most trustworthy; for these reasons I have always continued you about the persons of my daughters. Fathers cannot be too wary in whom they repose such confidence; I now wish you to find out the secret malady that is preying upon the princesses, and to devise some means of restoring them to health and cheerfulness.” Kadiga promised implicit obedience. In fact she knew more of the malady of the princesses than they themselves. Shutting herself up with them, however, she endeavored to insinuate herself into their confidence. “My dear children, what is the reason you are so dismal and downcast in so beautiful a place, where you have everything that heart can wish?” The princesses looked vacantly round the apartment, and sighed. “What more, then, would you have? Shall I get you the wonderful parrot that talks all languages, and is the delight of Granada?” “Odious!” exclaimed the princess Zayda. “A horrid, screaming bird, that chatters words without ideas: one must be without brains to tolerate such a pest.” “Shall I send for a monkey from the rock of Gibraltar, to divert you with his antics?” “A monkey! faugh!” cried Zorayda; “the detestable mimic of man. I hate the nauseous animal.” “What say you to the famous black singer Casem, from the royal harem, in Morocco? They say he has a voice as fine as a woman’s.” “I am terrified at the sight of these black slaves,” said the delicate Zorahayda; “besides, I have lost all relish for music.” “Ah! my child, you would not say so,” replied the old woman, slyly, “had you heard the music I heard last evening, from the three Spanish cavaliers whom we met on our journey. But bless me, children! what is the matter that you blush so and are in such a flutter?” “Nothing, nothing, good mother; pray proceed.” “Well; as I was passing by the Vermilion Towers last evening, I saw the three cavaliers resting after their day’s labor. One was playing on the guitar, so gracefully, and the others sang by turns; and they did it in such style, that the very guards seemed like statues, or men enchanted. Allah forgive me! I could not help being moved at hearing the songs of my native country. And then to see three such noble and handsome youths in chains and slavery!” Here the kind-hearted old woman could not restrain her tears. “Perhaps, mother, you could manage to procure us a sight of these cavaliers,” said Zayda. “I think,” said Zorayda, “a little music would be quite reviving.” The timid Zorahayda said nothing, but threw her arms round the neck of Kadiga.