"The officer was filled with various emotions by her presence; for he at once recognised her as the idol of his heart, and all feelings of anger disappeared at once.
"'This is my child Zara,' said Nemyl, with affected indifference. 'The great Sultan has an apartment for her in his seraglio, and his Aga has already bargained with me for her purchase.'
"Garstoff watched the girl's countenance, while her father spoke thus, and was delighted to perceive that she was discomposed by his words; but resolving to avoid a quarrel with his entertainer, he replied:
"'Happy must be the man, whether sultan or renegade, who is destined to claim so much beauty for his own.'
"The suspicions of Nemyl were lulled to sleep by such disinterested expressions, and he ate and drank with his visitor, in all good will, while Zara listened in silence to their conversation. At length, the fumes of the liquors which he had swallowed, mounted to his brain, and after giving vent to some incoherent oaths, the Circassian fell upon the floor in a state of insensibility. His visitor was quite astonished by such a catastrophe; but as it afforded him an opportunity to converse with Zara, he rather rejoiced at it.
"'Fair lady,' said he, 'can it indeed be true that your charms are destined to wither in the Sultan's harem?'
"'It is true, stranger,' answered Zara, in mournful tones, 'the Aga of Soliman, spoke with my father at Constantinople, and I am to be borne thither soon.'
"'Does such a fate please you, Zara?' asked the officer.
"'No!' replied the beautiful Circassian, with emphasis. 'But it is the will of Allah, and I must submit.'