The King's Talisman — page 44: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE KING'S TALISMAN. 35 ‘* Al-Bassa asks to be admitted to your majesty’s presence.” “Then let him approach,” replied the king, while a slight curl of the lip told in what esteem he held his coun- selor. ‘“I give thee a fair day,” uttered Al-Bassa, as he entered his sovereign’s presence; but the deep misery that dwelt upon his countenance plainly showed that mere habit begat the expression. “You look sorrowful, my trusty friend,” said Modad, as he once more reclined upon his couch, and cast an in- quisitive glance upon his counselor. ‘IT have suffered enough to make any man sorrowful,” replied Al-Bassa, vainly endeavoring to hide his emotions. ‘‘’'l'his day have I plucked out the apple of my eye and thrown it to the four winds—the bright star that for years has lighted my feet in the path of peace and joy, has left its.orbit forever, and my house is no longer my home. My feet tread upon sharp pointed rocks, and the sting of re- morse has pierced my soul. The deep dwellings of the dead, high up in the mighty caverns of the rock, should be now my abode, and the scorching sands of the driving simoon should be my only food.” For a moment the king seemed to feel for the deep suf- ferings of his counselor, but the emotion soon passed away, and a frown settled upon his brow. Al-Bassa saw that frown, and throwing off the melancholy that sought for ut- terance, he cried: ‘‘ But let my sufferings pass. My sacrifice has saved my king and——” ‘‘ Yourself,” added Modad, at the same time casting a meaning glance upon the old man. Al-Bassa started as the simple word of the king grated upon his ear, but quickly regaining himself, he continued: ‘‘Perhaps you speak the truth; but at all events, the comirebooks €O