What, then, is your life, or the lives of these knights, or even my life, that any or all of them should turn the scale against those of thousands.

Oh! everything that my empire can give is at your feet, but here you stay until the dream be accomplished, and," he added, looking at the brethren, "death shall be the portion of any who would steal you from my hand." "Until the dream be accomplished ?" said Rosamund catching at the words.

"Then, when it is accomplished, shall I be free ?" "Ay," answered the Sultan; "free to come or to go, unless you attempt escape, for then you know your certain doom." "It is a decree.

Take note, my cousins, it is a decree.

And you, prince Hassan, remember it also.