He loved another, of what consequence is his life to you.”

Mangogul, filled with horror at this discourse, turned off his ring; and while Fatme was recruiting her spirits, he flew back to the Sultana. “Well, prince,” said she, “what have you heard? Is Kerfael still guilty, and the chast Fatme⁠—”

“I beseech you to excuse me,” answered the Sultan, “from repeating the abominations which I come from hearing. How an exasperated woman is to be dreaded! Who could believe, that a body formed by the graces, sometimes enclosed a heart molded by the furies? But the sun shall not set tomorrow on my dominions, before they be purged of a monster more dangerous than those which are produced in my deserts.”

The Sultan immediately sent for the Seneschal, and commanded him to seize Fatme, to remove Kerfael into one of the apartments of the seraglio, and to inform the Senate, that he reserved to himself the cognizance of his affair. His orders were executed that very night.