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 harm us. Then I will ordain such a feast and revelry as, if I mistake not, will prove an ample requital to the Sultan. As for his wife, though she be christened pure and white as morning milk, she will need a whole font of water to wash away the red stains of that hour.'

This Sultaness—this root of iniquity, this serpent under woman's form—privately dismissed her council, to fulfil the agreement made with her, while she rode to the Sultan, and made confession to him of her repentance for having so long remained in the bonds of heathenism, with her resolution to renounce her faith, and at the priest's hands to embrace Christianity: entreating him at the same time that the honour might be granted her to entertain all the Christian strangers. The Sultan granted her request, thanking her at the same time on his knees for the mark of courtesy she had offered to his friends. He was so rejoiced he knew not what to say. She kissed her son, and returned home.

These Christians, a large and solemn company, at length arrived in Syria. The Sultan