who had preceded me in the sultan's favour had been sent as a present to my brother. This woman, although she had always appeared fond of me, was in fact my most bitter enemy. She was very beautiful and clever, and soon obtained the most unlimited influence over my brother. Yet she loved him not; she had but one feeling to gratify, which was revenge on me. My brother had so often led the troops to victory, that he had acquired an unbounded sway over them. Stimulated by their suggestions and his own ambition, which like mine was boundless, he was at last induced to plot against his master, with the intention of dethroning him and reigning in his stead. To his new wife, the Georgian, he had entrusted his plans, and she resolved to regain the favour of the sultan and accomplish my ruin by making me a party, and then communicating to him the treason which was in agitation. She proposed to my brother that he should inform me of his intentions, alleging, that in all probability I would assist him, as I cared little for the sultan; and at all events if I did not join, my interest might save him from his wrath. For some time he refused to accede to her suggestions, but as she pointed out that if the plot were discovered, I, as his sister, would certainly share his fate, and that she well knew that I had never forgiven the punishment of the bastinado which I had received, and only waited for an opportunity to revenge myself, he at last consented to make me a party to his intentions. My brother had been allowed to visit me, and he took it opportunity of stating to me his schemes. I started from him with horror, pointed out to him his ingratitude and folly, and intreated him to abandon his purpose. Convinced that I was firmly attached to the sultan, he appeared to acquiesce in the justice of my remarks, confessed that he was wrong, and promised me faithfully to think no more of his treacherous designs. I believed him to be sincere, and I shed tears of joy as I thanked him for having yielded to my intreaties. We separated; and in a short time I thought no more of the subject. But he had no idea of abandoning his purpose; in fact, he was already too deeply involved to be able to do so. His arrangements went on rapidly; and when all was ripe the Georgian gave information to the sultan, denouncing me as a party as well as my brother.