"Mighty pasha!" spoke the Ethiopian in a low and cold tone; "thus saith the Sultana Valida: 'Cease to treat thy wife with neglect. Hasten to her--throw thyself at her feet--implore her pardon for the past--and give her hope of affection for the future. Shouldst thou neglect this warning, then every night will the rival whom thou preferrest to her be torn from thine arms, and be devoted as food for the fishes. She whom thou didst so prefer this night that is passed sleeps in the dark green bed of the Bosporus. Take warning, pasha; for the bowstring may be used at last. Moreover, see that thou revealest not to the Princess Aischa the incident of the night, nor the nature of the threats which send thee back repentant to her arms.'" And, with these words, the slave glided hastily from the room, leaving the grand vizier a prey to feelings of ineffable horror. His punishment on earth had begun--and he knew it. What had his ambition gained? Though rich, invested with high rank, and surrounded by every luxury, he was more wretched than the meanest slave who was accustomed to kiss the dust at his feet. But, subduing the fearful agitation which oppressed him--composing his feelings and his countenance as well as he was able, the proud and haughty Ibrahim hastened to implore admittance to his wife's chamber, and when the boon was accorded, and he found himself in her presence, he besought her pardon in a voice and with a manner expressive of the most humiliating penitence. Thus, at the moment when thousands--perhaps millions, were envying the bright fortunes and glorious destiny of Ibrahim the Happy, as he was denominated--the dark and terrible despotism of the Sultana Valida made him tremble for his life, and compelled him to sue at Aischa's feet for pardon. And if, at the same instant of his crushed spirit and wounded pride, there were a balm found to soothe the racking fibers of his heart, the anodyne consisted in the tender love which Aischa manifested toward him, and the touching sincerity with which she assured him of her complete forgiveness. * * * * *