strain every nerve to reach the highest offices in the state--for then only may'st thou hope to receive my hand, and behold the elucidation of the mystery which up to that date will envelop thy destinies." While the lady was thus speaking, a fearful struggle took place in the breast of Alessandro--for the renunciation of his creed, a creed in which he must ever in his heart continue to believe, though ostensibly he might abjure it--was an appalling step to contemplate. Then to his mind also came the images of those whom he loved, and who were far away in Italy:--his aunt, who had been so kind to him, his sister whom he knew to be so proud of him, and Father Marco, who manifested such deep interest in his behalf. But on his ears continued to flow the honeyed words and the musical tones of the charming temptress; and, as she gradually developed to his imagination the destinies upon which he might enter, offering herself as the eventual prize to be gained by a career certain to be pushed on successfully through the medium of a powerful, though mysterious influence--Florence, relatives, and friends, became as secondary considerations in his mind; and by the time the lady brought her long address to a conclusion--that address which had grown more impassioned and tender as she proceeded--Alessandro threw himself at her feet, exclaiming, "Lovely houri that thou art--beauteous as the maidens that dwell in the paradise of thy prophet--I am thine. I am thine!" The lady extended her right hand, which he took and pressed in rapture to his lips. But the next moment she rose lightly to her feet, and assuming a demeanor befitting a royal sultana, said in a sweet, though impressive tone: "We must now part--thou to enter on thy career of fame, I to set in motion every spring within my reach to advance thee to the pinnacle of glory and power. Henceforth thy name is Ibrahim! Go, then, my Ibrahim, and throw thyself at the feet of the reis-effendi, and that great minister will forthwith present thee to Piri Pasha, the grand vizier. Toil diligently--labor arduously--and the rest concerns me. Go, then, my Ibrahim, I say, and enter on the path which will lead thee to the summit of fame and power!" She extended her arms toward him--he snatched her to his breast, and covered her cheeks with kisses. In that paradise of charms he could have reveled forever; but the tender caresses lasted not beyond a few moments, for the lady tore herself away from his embrace and hurried into an adjacent apartment. Alessandro--or rather, the renegade, Ibrahim--passed into the anteroom where his guide, the female slave, awaited his return. She conducted him back to the hall, and advanced toward the door of the voluptuous kiosk, where he had changed his raiment. "Goest thou forth a Christian still, or a true believer?" she asked turning suddenly round. "As a Mussulman," answered the renegade, while his heart sank within him, and remorse already commenced its torture.