almost wish he had fallen in love with me, for I don't think the great Abomelique would be so ugly, if it was not for his monstrous great Blue Beard;" Such was the thought of Irene. As to poor Fatima she fainted away, which frightened Blue Beard, who would have been glad to have found her agreeable to his wishes, however with much ado they brought her to herself when Blue Beard left her, promising to come the next day, and fetch her in state to the Castle: after he was gone nothing ran in the father's head but how he should enjoy himself at the Castle. As to Irene, she could not help pitying her sister, who was in a sad taking.

Fatima had a real love for Selim, to whom her father had promised his consent in marriage. You see promises with some, like pye-crust, is made to be broken. Ah! silly old man, you little think about the evil that hangs over your daughter's head. As Fatima knew she should be forced to go with Blue Beard, she wrote immediately to Selim. Now only think what a fine thing it is to be a scholar, for if Fatima could not have wrote to her lover, nobody else would have done it for her, and what would have been the consequence you will find by and by; so above all things learn to read your book, that your daddy and mammy may learn you to write too; well as soon as she had finished her letter, she gave it to a trusty messenger, who set off full speed and soon arrived at Selim's house. I must now return to Blue Beard, who could not get a wink of sleep all night, so much did he think of his intended bride: so, no sooner had the sun gilded the mountain's tops than he was up, and the procession was ordered to move towards the village; you can think what a fine sight it was, first came two trumpeters, then two kettle-drums, then two French horns, then two men with fine silken flags, then some of his black slaves armed with bows and arrows; next came the great Abomelique himself, riding on an elephant, under a fine silken canopy; next followed another elephant richly dressed, with a fine seat on his back, with a silken canopy over it, for Fatima and her sister; a fine Arabian horse followed, led by a black slave, for her father; a band of music following; then his slaves armed with bows and arrows, closed the procession. Blue Beard brought some fine clothes along with him for Fatima and her sister, which the father insisted upon her wearing. It was in vain for her to tell him she could not be happy, as her heart was given to Selim; he knew that Blue Beard was very rich, and like many others, he thought happiness consisted in wealth; so, says he, have him you must, and have him you shall: Abomelique, at the same time, took all manner of pains to please her; for, beside the fine clothes, he brought her jewels and diamonds in profusion, and promised she should want for nothing when she got to the castle.

After being dressed in a very grand manner she was put or rather forced into her seat on the elephant's back along with her sister Irene; the ladies round about, who came to the sight, could scarce keep from envying her, forgetting that very fine clothes may hide a very heavy heart, as it did now. No sooner was the company seated than the music began to play, and off the great Abomelique marched in triumph with his prize. Her lover Selim no sooner received her letter, than knowing no time was to be lost, went directly to his brother, who commanded a troop, who promised to assist him to the utmost, so it was