“If you can so restore the health of this Frangy girl,” continued Mahomed, “that she may attend me within ten days into Epirus, you shall claim from my treasury what sum you like, and become physician to the Seraglio. What say you?” “My hope and my belief is,” replied Iskander, “that within ten days she may breathe the air of Epirus.” “By my father’s beard, you are a man after my own heart,” exclaimed the prince; “and since thou dealest in talismans, Hakim, can you give me a charm that you will secure me a meeting with this Epirot rebel within the term, so that I may keep my oath. What say you? what say you?” “There are such spells,” replied Iskander. “But mark, I can only secure the meeting, not the head.” “That is my part,” said Mahomed, with an arrogant sneer. “But the meeting, the meeting?” “You know the fountain of Kallista in Epirus. Its virtues are renowned.” “I have beard of it.” “Plunge your scimitar in its midnight waters thrice, on the eve of the new moon, and each time summon the enemy you would desire to meet. He will not fail you.” “If you cure the captive, I will credit the legend, and keep the appointment,” replied Mahomed, thoughtfully. “I have engaged to do that,” replied the physician. “Well, then, I shall redeem my pledge,” said the prince “But mind,” said the physician, “while I engage to cure the lady and produce the warrior, I can secure your highness neither the heart of the one nor the head of the other.” “‘Tis understood,” said Mahomed. CHAPTER 12 The Armenian physician did not fail to attend his captive patient at an early hour on the ensuing morn. His patron Kaflis received him with an encouraging smile. “The talisman already works;” said the eunuch: “she has passed a good night, and confesses to an improvement. Our purses are safe. Methinks I already count the gold. But I say, worthy Hakim, come hither, come hither,” and Kaflis looked around to be sure that no one was within hearing, “I say,” and here he put on a very mysterious air indeed, “the prince is generous; you understand? We go shares. We shall not quarrel. I never yet repented patronizing a man of science, and I am sure I never shall. The prince, you see, is violent, but generous. I would not cure her too soon, eh?” “You take a most discreet view of affairs,” responded Iskander, with an air of complete assent, and they entered the chamber of the tower.