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 Egypt, Orosman was reassured, for he was himself the enemy of the Soldan of that country. Thereupon he ordered that the Frenchmen should be sent to their king, and now thought only of repairing by the magnificence of his nuptials the wrong which in his anger he had done to Zaire.

"Whilst the preparations were made, Zaire, in grief, asked permission from the Soldan to see Nerestan once more. Orosman, too glad of an occasion to please her, was so indulgent as to permit the interview. Nerestan saw Zaire, but it was to tell her that her father was ready to expire; and that, in his last moments, his joy at having recovered his children was mingled with sorrow at not knowing whether she would become a Christian; and that, while dying, he had ordered her to be baptised that day by the Pontiff of Jerusalem. Zaire, melted and overcome, promised everything, and swore to her brother that she would be a Christian, that she would not marry Orosman, and that to be baptised should be her first care.

Scarcely had she given this promise when Orosman, more amorous and more beloved than ever, comes to conduct her to the mosque. Never had any one a heart more torn than Zaire's; she was drawn one way by her family ties, her name, her new faith—and another by the best of men, who adored her. She no longer knew herself; she gave way to grief, escaped from the arms of her lover, and, quitting him in despair, left him overwhelmed with surprise, grief, and anger.

The suspicions of jealousy were reawakened in the heart of Orosman. Pride prevented them from appearing, but his suppressed indignation thus shows itself in their next interview:—