“Leila, Leila!” cried a clear voice.
Leila sprang up and ran to the garden-gate to meet a lady, of exquisite dark beauty, who came and sat down on a pile of silken cushions near the fountain. Leila took, at her signal, a golden casket from another little girl, and kneeling before her mistress, began to take out its contents and display them.
Mistress and maiden smiled with delight as rubies, diamonds, and emeralds came to view.
“My jewels are the best in the harem,” said the Princess Zarah, proudly.
“Yes, lady,” said Leila, “neither Zuleika nor Zoraya have half so many.”
“There is a string of pearls for you,” said Zarah. “Or, no—choose among these for yourself.”
“What is that?” said the little slave suddenly, pointing to a small eight-pointed ornament with a ruby in the centre.
“That!” said the princess. “Why, child, that is yours already. It was tied round your neck when you were brought to me.”
Leila took the cross in her hand, and gazed at it with a fixed, dreamy look.
“Nella had one too,” she said suddenly. “Dom Fernando gave them to us.”