Page:Rambles and Researches in Thuringian Saxony.djvu/243

207 “The Count in vain awaited a solution of the mystery from Melechsala herself; many days elapsed ere she re-appeared. The Count then threw himself at her feet, to supplicate forgiveness for his unknown fault. Melechsala beckoned him to follow her. He obeyed in silence, and, after losing sight of the garden, they stopped before the door of a summer palace of the Sultan, which was quickly opened by a slave. Entering one of its rich saloons Melechsala thus spoke:—‘The will of the Prophet be done!’ she began; ‘three times I have invoked him to give me a sign, if I wander in the paths of folly and error. The Prophet has been silent. He approves of the dove’s resolve, to deliver the captive linnet from his fetters, and to live with him in the same nest. The Sultan’s daughter has not despised the Muschirumi. Tarry no longer; find the Iman, he will make thee a faithful believer in the Moschee, and not in vain; for then I shall request my father that he create thee a Bacha in his provinces. Proudly may’st thou then lift up thine eyes to the splendour of the throne!’ The Count, dumb with amazement, now first perceived the mistake he had committed. A struggle, fierce and long, of conflicting sentiments agitated his troubled heart. The tempter tried his most enticing wiles to vanquish the scruples of the Count, to persuade him to abjure his creed and