situation with her own, and thanked Heaven it had made him such a man. Seven months thus elapsed, and, with the exception of Feroz being sometimes obliged to go to the natch of some great friend, he seldom left his wife. These demands on his friendship, however, soon became more frequent, and so much at length was he beloved, that often for a week together he was nightly compelled to give them demonstrations of his affection. The money of the mahajun had brought him both credit and friends. A love of play, which he had slightly indulged in before his mar riage, he was now enabled fully to cultivate, and a knot of gamblers, the elite of the town, who formerly avoided him, expostulated with him for his coldness, and desired his acquaintance. Fortune generally favored him at the commencement of a sitting, but whether he tempted her too far, or the forbidden draughts with which he would accompany the pursuit, displeased the fickle goddess, he invariably rose a loser. This sent him home to Azimun irritated and ill tempered; she would often wonder what could thus have changed him; her fertile mind would resort to any expedient to bring him back to himself, and though she had first succeeded, the task became every time more difficult, and at last beyond her power, and she would retire in despair, while the tear rushing to her eye convinced her, the charm she once possessed over him she no longer held.

But the reader must be informed that this did not result exclusively from the effect of his losses at play; there was another passion undermining the peace of Feroz; he had become captivated with a singing girl, a citydisturbing beauty that had lately arrived, and the immense sums he spent in jewels and clothes for her, did not lessen his infatuation, while it confirmed her avarice. To secure so generous an admirer was her great object, and she thought no means so effectual as to weaken, (if not obliterate,) the love which she perceived he still bore his wife. This she contrived so skilfully, that through the kind "mendacity of hints" on her own part, coupled with inuendoes which she managed should reach him from other quarters, that nothing tangible could be deduced from them, proved sufficient to raise in the mind of Feroz suspicions of the good faith of his wife. His conduct to her proportionably changed; he no longer studied to satisfy her, but even peremptorily refused her permission to visit her mother, and interdicted her from walking so much on the top of the house; jealous, "lest love should ride the wind." The life of Azimun had now become so different from what she had expected, that notwithstanding the comparative authority she exercised as a wife, she thought with a sigh of the home she had left. The servants declaimed violently against the tyranny of Feroz, and were not backward in informing their mistress she possessed a rival. The night this agreeable intelligence was conveyed to her, Feroz returned home later than usual, his voice sounded below in angry controversy with the servants, and he advanced to the zananah, abusing the female relations of some unfortunate wight, from the tenth generation. The feelings of Azimun had not suffered her to sleep, and little was wanting to make the passion raging in her breast break forth. She perceived by his wild look and gesture that he was greatly intoxicated, and

foolishly upbraided him; he retorted with some equivocal reflection on her; this was the signal, and she forthwith showered on his devoted head such a torrent of abuse, taunts, reproaches, and revilings, that, while it lasted, it drowned all opposition. No one could have believed the gentle Azimun capable of such an exertion. There was no probability either of it finishing; the words seemed to run more glibly every minute,her tongue to acquire strength by going, till at last Feroz, driven nearly mad, raised his arm, and, with his open hand, knocked her down. The servants gave a shriek as their mistress fell, and Feroz finding he had silenced the enemy, reeled to the palung, and apparently exhausted or stupified, was soon asleep. Azimun's forehead had, in her fall, come in contact with the corner of a stool, and with such force, that for a time she was stunned, and her face much disfigured, The women servants endeavoured to revive her; they were, however, soon successful, and fearing a recurrence of his brutality, which she never, till now, could have thought Feroz capable of committing, she determined on leaving the house, and forthwith went to her father. Azeezoolah, after hearing a hurried detail of the circumstances, (for the truth of which the marks on her face abundantly testified,) fearing the jealous temper of Feroz, which he knew would be excited to the utmost when he became acquainted with her flight, urged the necessity of her immediate return; she had nothing now to fear, he said, as sleep would restore him to his senses, and that in the morning he would call in, (as if by chance,) and see how matters stood. Azimun, to whom all prospective dangers were as nothing, compared with the fear of again returning to undergo, perhaps a second time, what she had just suffered, earnestly besought her father for his protection; her mother joined with her, and asked, when till now he had showed himself wanting in love to his child, and finally Azeezoolah found himself forced to consent to what his better judgment seemed to warn him of the possible consequences,

Feroz, dispirited, languid, exhausted, awoke late next morning, and perceiving Azimun had risen before him, he endeavoured to muster in review his last night's achievements. He knew too well he had lost deeply at play, suspected he must have drank too much, and had some faint idea of a quarrel with his wife. For the first, the remedy he feared was hopeless, the second he was now paying for, and if the third were true, his gentle nature could not withhold a candid confession of his error. He got up and roamed about the zananah, to carry his last project into execution; the servants were there as usual; he asked for Azimun, but instead of replying they muttered something to one another; and when he at last elicited from them, that she had gone to her father's, his heart sickened as the remembrance of the reports he had heard respecting her flashed across his mind: he immediately resolved on following her, and almost feared to ask himself what he could have done when intoxicated, for her thus to take such a course. Azeezoolah, after making every allowance for his son-in-law, and desirous of effecting, if possible, a reconciliation, determined that on two considerations alone would he oblige his daughter to return; first, that Feroz should give up entirely his connexion with Khuda Buhks, the singing girl, the knowledge of which had come to his ears; and secondly he required to be well assured that a

repetition of the treatment his daughter had suffered was not likely to occur. Independent of all this, it was necessary to give as little food as possible for scandal, as he had no hope of entirely concealing the affair. While thus musing the piyadehs announced the approach of the palkeė of Feroz. Their salaams were more than ordinarily cordial, and each eyed the other some seconds in silence, as if to find out who would first shake off his assumed forbearance. Feroz at last broke out into a vio lent invective against Azeezoolah for countenancing the flight of his daughter, "why did you not oblige her to return" said he, "such differences, you must know, are of constant occurrence between men and wife. What will be the afwah, (report,) in the bazar? what of my izzut (honor,) will remain when the affair becomes known? shall we not both suffer?" Azeezoolah here interrupted him by asking," who that studied his respectability would make himself notorious by his connexion with a common natch girl; think not," continued he, "I am ignorant of its existence, and till I have the strongest assurances it is at an end, my daughter shall never darken your threshold." Then recollecting the silence he preserved regarding the blow, he reproached him with his unmanly conduct and ingratitude, after the many benefits he had received from him, and inferring from the countenance of Feroz that he was sceptical as to the truth of what he stated, concluded by saying. "If you doubt my word you have the sad means of satisfying yourself; the fatal evidence will, for many a day, linger on that form, which, till you possessed it, knew neither illtreatment nor sorrow. That I would have counselled the conduct Azimun has pursued, I don't say, but that I will relinquish her only, when I am convinced she will be secure from any recurrence of such barbarity; I swear by the Prophet, from her own mouth alone will I hear the request for her departure; and listen young man, should you not accomplish your object through her, and attempt to carry it by other means, get ready your rupees for she shall sue for the dower."

Feroz was completely astounded; he was quite unconscious he had struck his wife, and though he, at first, regarded the mention of it, merely as an ornamental flourish in the rhetoric of his father-in-law, the conclu sion left him certain that it was indeed strictly true. The fixed determination Azeezoolah displayed, at once brought to his mind the inevita ble consequences, could he not effect a reconciliation with Azimun. Among the first would be absolute poverty, which would in no way capacitate him for moving his wife through the medium of the Adaulut, the only course that would be open, as he could not tamely resign her. He was sensibly aware of his present degradation, and attributing it entirely to Azimun; with all the malice of a little mind, he vowed inwardly, that, however expediency might render it necessary for him to play the hypocrite, when the time came, and she was in his power, he would make her repent the victory she had gained. He took advantage of Azeezoolah's offer for an interview, and Azimun had, in a great measure, recovered from her fright, and the downcast and sorrowful countenance with which Feroz entered the zenanah, for a moment disarmed the coldness and distance with which she had determined to receive him, He commenced by declaring, that till he entered the house, he was ig

norant he had offered her violence. "Whatever changes," added he, "my conduct towards you may lately have undergone, still you must grant my worst moods of temper never evinced the most distant approach to an act my mind must ever abhor; need Azimun be told Feroz was not himself when he struck her who was dearest to him. For some time past an evil-eyed one has robbed me of my peace, the Shitan has haunted me ever since I listened to her words: Ghobis and Buts have disturbed me in horrid dreams and allowed me rest only when you appeared as a Ferishtah, and guarded one no longer worthy of you. But Allah be praised! a powerful amulet, has preserved me from her fatal influence, and, by the love you once bore me, give me not over to despair." The conduct of Azimun agreed ill with her original resolves; Feroz had never before now sued in vain, nor was this to prove an exception. The stars seemed most in fault, his likening her to an angel appeared equally apposite and affectionate, and when he conjured her by their early love, he struck the chord which, despite of all that had happened, gave back its wonted tone. In the close of the interview the seeming penitent had been received into favor, and it was finally agreed on by all parties that Azimun should remain three days longer with her father, to give her flight the appearance of a premeditated visit, after which period she should return to her husband.

In the mean time the bazar had been busy with the reputation of the lady; the facts of the case had been quite inadequate to satisfy the marvellous minds of the vulgar. Numerous additions and versions were forthwith circulated; the one which obtained the greatest currency was, that Feroz, by coming home earlier than expected, had surprised Azimun in a visit, (charitably said not to have been the first,) from the same favored friend whose name was even given. And she hearing of his prior return, and fearful of the consequences of immediately meeting him, had gone to her father's. Although policy induced Feroz to remain either at home or near his wife, till the period of her visit had expired, yet good natured friends were not wanting to give him a faithful account of what the public were pleased to say touching his domestic circumstances. To have his wife's name in the mouth of every one was terrible, and not easily to be borne? Could he mingle among his companions with this stigma attached to his name? Might not the easy forgiveness of his wife have been granted merely as affording the means of more effectually dishonoring him? After all, was it not possible, he might be the injured one? Could the wild passion of the singing girl be the only genuine love which human breast felt for him? These and other similar thoughts passed quickly through the mind of Feroz, till it at last maddened with them. As the evening closed in, he secretly left his house and bent his steps towards her who he believed was his only remaining friend. The natch girl confirmed, with a malicious detail, all that had been told Feroz regarding his wife. She saw that the poison began to work, and left nothing undone that its effects on her rival might be as fatal as her wishes; and when Feroz returned home, the impassioned language of the Moor might have well depicted the feelings with which he regarded his wife.

"All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven,
Tis gone :

Arise dark vengeance from thy hollow cell."

The countenance of Feroz appeared beaming with joy, as he went to summon his wife on the appointed day for her return; every thing was in readiness, but just as she was entering the Mianeh she sneezed, which being regarded as an infelicitous omen not to be despised, her departure was postponed till the next day, when it was hoped nothing would again occur to excite her nasal organs. The morrow came, and evening found Azimun once more in the house of her husband. When they had been sometime together in the zenanah, Feroz playfully asked his wife to dismiss her servants, that their conversation might be the more unrestrained; she immediately acquiesced, and they were desired to remain below till summoned. After some hours had elapsed, Feroz came out, and rousing one of the servants, ordered his horse to be saddled, then pacing hurriedly about, as soon as it was ready, he mounted, and galloping down the bazar, was soon out of hearing. This appeared strange, one of the strange whims of their master, but no notice was taken of it, and silence soon again reigned in the house. The sun had risen high, yet Azimun still slept, and the servants seeing the door closed refrained from disturbing her. This continued for some time, till a presentiment came them, that all might not be well; their fears, were communicated to her parents, and the mother was soon beside her child.

over

Azimun appeared in a deep slumber, but the anxious eye of the mother immediately detected the unusual appearance of the jewels which still adorned her person, and showed that sleep had surprised her. She seized her hand, but it gave back a coldness which went to her heart, the khirkee was desired to be opened, but the breeze floated over the features of the lovely corpse, (for corpes it was). The additional light which had been thus admitted, allowed the mother's eye to witness the deadly paleness of her face. She leant over her to discover if a breath yet lingered on her lips, but they yielded no inspiration to give one ray of hope to the distracted parent. She cried out in agony to Azimun to speak and remove her doubts, but the inanimate form heeded not the summons, and as the echo died in her ear the mother knew she was childless.

Feroz had well laid all his plans; two days before his flight he had obtained a large sum of money from the Kotee of his father-in-law, by means of forged signatures, and got clear off with his illgotten wealth. Every exertion was made at the time to apprehend him, but no clue to his concealment could be obtained; he was, however, ultimately traced to Calcutta, and from the description of the person that was with him there was no doubt the natch girl was his companion. They sailed in an Arab ship bound to Jedda, which was wrecked at the entrance of the Red Sea, and few survived to tell the fate of Feroz and his paramour. It was from this surmised that Mecca was their ultimate destination, no doubt, with the idea of purifying themselves from their crimes by copious draughts of the Zem-Zem.