Page 528 - Child's own book

in prayer and meditation till the dawn of the following morning,
when the keeper of the prison appeared, to lead him to the
presence of the sultan. He was carried out of the dungeon,
and placed in an open carriage between two officers, with drawn
sabres in their hands : the chariot was surrounded by soldiers,
in this manner he was conveyed to the halt of audience, where
the sultan was seated on his throne, with his emirs, his nohles,
and all the great officers of his court standing round him.
Nourjahad stood he fore the sultan with his eyes bent upon the
ground: his deportment was modest and respectful; hut, sup­
ported Isy conscious innocence, he discovered no symptoms of
fear, Schcmerzad made a sign for every one 10 withdraw,
except the grand vizier, who stood on the Steps of his throne.
“ Art thou prepared/’ demanded the sultan, u to make a full
confession of ihy treasonable designs? Say» audacious wretch L
to what end was thy profusion employed ? ”— u To obtain a
blessing from heaven," answered Nourjahad ; u and by relieving
the wants and afflictions of others, to make some atonement
for my own intemperate use of wealth, which ought to have
been employed to better purposes.”—“ W'ouldst thou persuade
me that charity was thy only motive ? “ It was, illustrious
sultan. I have spoken the tru th ; and to convince your
majesty that 1 never harboured any treasonable design against
your person or government, I am ready at this moment to
deliver into your hands that immense treasure, which, had I
been vile enough so to have employed it, would have taught
tho fidelity of half your subjects.*’— a Do then," said the sultan,
“ as thou hast spoken, and 1 will believe thee/'— “ If your
majesty will permit any one to go with me to my house, 1 will
deliver into his hands all my wealth; and, if my lord permits
me to live, I wili henceforward labour to support myself/’—
“ N o/’ replied the sultan, u 1 will not trust thee from my sight.