"The Lady Nisida is a magnificent woman, Demetrius," observed a voice which our heroine immediately recognized to be that of the grand vizier. "Such a splendid aquiline countenance I never before beheld! Such eyes, too, such a delicious mouth, and such brilliant teeth! What a pity 'tis that she has not the use of her tongue! The voice of such a glorious creature, speaking mine own dear Italian language, would be music itself. And how admirably is she formed--upon somewhat too large a scale, perhaps, to precisely suit my taste, and yet the contours of her shape are so well rounded--so perfectly proportioned in the most harmonious symmetry, that were she less of the Hebe she would be less charming." "Is your highness already enamored of Donna Nisida?" asked the person to whom the grand vizier had addressed the preceding observations. "I must confess that I am, Demetrius," replied Ibrahim; "I would give a year of my life to become her favored lover for one day. But considering that I hope to see my sister Flora become the wife of Donna Nisida's brother Francisco, I must restrain this passion of mine within due bounds. But wherefore do you sigh thus heavily, Demetrius?" "Alas! my lord, the mention you make of your sister reminded me that I once possessed a sister also," returned the Greek in a plaintive tone. "But when I returned to Constantinople, I sought vainly for her, and Heaven knows what has become of her, and whether I shall ever see her more. Poor Calanthe! some treachery has doubtless been practiced toward thee!" "Don't give way to despair, Demetrius," said the grand vizier. "Who knows but Calanthe may have espoused some youth on whom her affections were set----" "Ah! my lord!" interrupted the Greek, "it is considerate--it is kind on the part of your highness to suggest such a consolatory belief; but Calanthe would not keep an honorable bridal secret. Yet better were it that she should be dead--that she should have been basely murdered by some ruthless robber, than that she should live dishonored. However, I will not intrude my griefs upon your highness, although the friendship and the condescension which your highness manifests toward me, emboldens me to mention these sorrows in your presence."