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VOLUME I
OSIQIIA& VAZiE,
®F EASTERN MAIDEN.
BY MISS SUSAN A. STUART.
CHAP I.
“ Heart on her lips and soul within her eyes,
Soft as her clime and sunny as her skies.”
]t was a sultry eve, and the large fans of bril
liant colored plumage waved bv the slaves, could
scar ce create a breeze in the perfumed chamber of
the lovely Gulnare, as she reclined languidly on
the soft, silken cushions. There she lay in her
vounGS dreamy beauty, like one of the visions of
loveliness which sprang from the brain of Appel
lee or a young Hourie that stands at the gate of
jiaht to welcome the true believer into the blissof
Paradise. Her long hair of a purple blackness,
nnd as glossy as a raven’s wing, was in the hands
of one of her maidens who was braiding its per
fumed length, with pearls, whilst another, kneel
ing, was fitting into a rose colored slipper her small
white foot. A cymar of delicate Indian muslin
veiled her beautiful shoulders and bust, and ex
tended to the wrist of her fair, round arm. The
close fitting spencer of rose-colored silk, with its
half sleeves, full and hanging, was not fastened
as she thus lay in her luxurious indolence, but fell
freely open with its small golden bells, pendant
from the sleeves, making tinkling music as she
changed her position. The skirt of white silk, and
wide pantaloons, banded with gold round the an
cle, completed the costume of the beautiful daugh
ter of the rich and powerful chieftain Achmed
Her large, almond shaped orbs were half closed,
and their silken fringes rested upon a cheek sofi
and rosy, whilst the full, red lips parted now and
then in a gladsome smile, as if some pleasant
/Noughts were dancing through that young heart.
“How wears the day, Alima ?” said she to a
beautiful slave who had taken the soft hand of her
mistress in her own in order to color the nails
with the orange tinted Henna, “ Is it not time for
our walk to the fountain ?”
“ Not vet lovely lady, for the sun’s ravs do not
fall behind the broad palmyra tree which shades
its waters. Allah be praised ! a breeze is spring
ing up,” as the thin muslin curtains that veiled
the light, were wafted inwards and brought the
perfume of a thousand blossoms on its wings,
41 we may soon seek the fountain.”
“ your lute Mvsie, and wile away the mo
ments with your sweet song,” and she again closed
her eyes as the soft strains came at her bidding.
The sun’s last rays were kissing the red lips of
the lotus flower, coloring with golden and purple
tint the skv, as Gulnare and her favorite slave Al
ima, went forth into 1 he magnificent gardens of her
father. The veil which she tlirevv over her brai
ded tresses, served to screen, not bide, her loveli
ness. They bent their steps towards the marble
fountain, whose cool waters were playing with a
soothing monotony, and glistening like diamonds
in the lingering rays of the sun. As soft and me
lodious as the Bulbul’s song was the voice of Gul
nare as she again addressed her companion.
“Have you the key Alima, and are you sure,
quite sure we can steal in without suspicion ? ”
“ hshalluh ! my mistress, My si a, is on guard,
and old Selim is as trusty and loving a ‘lave to
your will, as your servant Alima. I have exchan
ged signals with the Christian Knight, as he stood
by the latti e; and already, I doubt not, his hear!
is breaking in joyful expectation of your approach.
“Let us hasten then, for I long to stand in his
loved presence; albeit my heart, has a mingling
°f sadness with its joy ; for we must part this
evening, you know Alima; and it may be many,
Many moons, if ever, ere we shall meet again. ”
Her bright eyes shown yet brighter from the
Joshed tears as they glistened in them, and hung
°n her long lashes, as the dew-drops on the frm
blossoms of the Mimosa. They had reached
a kiosk, which though looking too light and airy
f° he, a prison-keep, was in reality such ; for here
,Q “durance vile ? lay the Christian Knight refer
to p ie p rPce eding conversation. It was
h°m these strongly latticed casements, the love
? ce nes had taken place, love scenes too of such
instantaneous, yet mature growth, as occur only
jn that “ clime of the sun.” For three months,
ba( l the young Englishman been held therein
c °nfinernent; and ’iwas there he first beheld the
love ly Gulnare, and her maidens, as they sported
am '>d the flowers of thegarden, herself the bright
e! 1 hud of them all. He looked upon her ra
beauty—her untutored grace wild, yet
as the gazelle;— and he but gazed upon
aer to love.
And she who had never seen the face of any
beside her father and old Selim, imagined
lhc blue eyed Christian, who had darted such
ln Passioned glances upon her from behind his
dement bars, must be the God Crishma, or
“Nothing near akin to him* Child in years, with
jan impulsive heart, warm as her clime, the pas
sion she felt for him was as sudden, as it after
wards proved devoted and lasting. Daily had
they contrived to exchange words or glances, or
some flowery symbol—the love lettersof the East.
And he, who spoke the Arabic sufficiently to fell
his tale of love, poured forth into her listening
and trusting ears such vows as men delight to
make, and maidens to hear.
And this evening, she met him to bid “fare
well,” and to supply him with the means of reach
ing his own dear home, from whence he was to
return and claim her for his bride. Most earnestly
had he besought her to be the companion of his
flight; but the Eastern maiden, could not yet re
solve to leave her father, even for his sake, whom
she so fondly loved. Selim had been gained over
to their interest, and a fleet steed stood ready with
a guide to lead Gilbert a Becket to a near seaport
from whence he could take ship for England.
“ I hou wilt not forget me Gilbert, in thine own
dear land,” whispered Gulnare, as she clung to
him—“ say it over and over again, that my heart
may treasure the words when you are far, far
from me.
4 Forget thee ! my star of hope, my deliverer,
how is it possible that 1 could do so. With every
breath of \\iefree air which I shall inhale—with
every sunbeam that glistens—at the sight of every
thing joyful, that will bless the vision of one who
was whilome a pining prisoner, must come the
remembrance of the deliverer. But without all
this, how could, how can I forgetone whom I love
better than myself. I must even give words to
my own fears, my bright eyed one ! Wilt thou
remain steadfast and true to thy lover, when he is
afar from thee ? Wilt thou pray to thy God and
mine that he may soon return to claim thee and
wear thee on his breast as his most precious trea
sure.”
Her still fonder clasp and the loving devoted
look from those lafge, wild eyes, though softened
by the tears that bedewed them, —was sufficient
answer. And so Gilbert thought, for pressing her
to hi’ heart, took the small hand in his and with
his disengaged one, removing the cross from his
breast, he held it to her lrp*f and to bis own ; arid
said with the low, deep lone of truth and rev
erence.
“ I swear to my Cod and thine, to Jesus and
to our Blessed Mother, that I will remain faithful
to thee, and will return and claim thee, as my
bride. If Ido not keep my vow, may Ibe called
coward and recreant among knights ; and be for
saken by my God.”
After this solemn vow, he again kissed the
blessed symbol; and then endeavored with loving
words to comfort the beautiful maiden.
CHAP. 11.
“ The blight of hope, nnd happiness
is felt, when fond ones part,
And the bitter tear that follows is
The life blood of the heart.”
Months, long, tedious, tiresome months, drag
ged themselves on; to neither of the fond lovers
bringing tidings of the other. The art of writing
was known but to few in those times; and letters
came not to console the absent then ; nor wero
they considered as since, to have been invented
to cheer the weaker sex. Still Gulnare loved on
as at first, trustingly, for judging from her own
pure heart, so leal and true, she never imaged
treachery in another, —that other being too one
whom her devotion had clothed in every God-like
attribute. No she doubted not; and that was
surely a comfort; but then her woman’s heart
brought its own store of griefs, quite sufficient in
themselves.
Day by day, as she sat surrounded by her
‘laves, in all the monotony and indolence —in all
ihe solitude that fosters the imagination ; and sur
rounded bv those sensual gratifications, such as
perfumes, music, the display of jewels, &c., —and
ihose things which enervate and dispose to senti
ment —would she sit heightning her regrets for
ihe absent by surrounding him with sickness,
death, or anew captivity, more irksome because
away from her. She would sldllie on her divan
still deck herself in her gorgeous fanciful dress —
still tended bv her slaves at the toilette with per
fumes and gems, for this was the custom of her
country and the times. But now the sweet face
wore not the bright smile of glad expectation, but
was sickbed o’er with the 44 pale cast of thought
aye, anxious, wearying thought. Neither did
her lioht form lie in the übcindonemente of grace
ful ease, but clung to the soft cushions now ner
vously, or as if seeking rest from languor, that
was creeping stealthily on. Her amusements
were such no longer. All failed to please ; and
were relinquished almost as soon as commenced,
for the charm was gone. The fountain, the gar
den, but brought sad thoughts of him whom she
loved so passionately. The faithful Alima had
no sinecure now, to comfort and soolhe her young
mistress, who was growing paler and more hope-
SAVANNAH, GA.. SATURDAY, MARCH 2. 1850.
less, as month succeeded month, and still no news
of Gilbert reached her.
At length Achmed summoned his beautiful
daughter into his presence, and told her, she must
prepare to receive with favor a bride-groom
whom he had selected ; who was as brave as a
lion, and whose heart had never }’et known wo
man’s love; but was fitted to be her master and
lord, as he was a most faithful follower of the
Prophet, and a mighty warrior.
“ Allah be praised !” said the old chief, as he
stroked his beard. “’Tis a good choice I have
made for thee, child, in giving thee to Oman, the
Emir, whose honors are more than his years, being
scarcely as old as myself. He has consented to
receive thee, as his bride, out of respect to me.—
He will shadow thee with his name and glorv,
when I shall have laid down to my last rest, with
my face towards Mecca. Go, now, my daughter,
proclaim the glad tidings unto thy maidens. Tell
Selim to scatter, with unsparing hand sherbet,
fruit, confections, &c., that they may feel glad
and rejoice with great ceremony over thy good
fortune.”
She could but prostrate herself in meek obe
dience before her father; ’twas all that was ever
expected from a woman. What utter a word to
her master! No; ’twas sufficient honor to hear
him speak; women were always placed after the
camels in the consideration of the wise !
But the you ns: heart was almost broken wiih
ibis new trial ; and she could but throw herself
intolhearms of Alima, and weep out on her
friendly bosom, her story and her fears.
“ Fly, my mistress. Listen to thy servant, who
will go with thee. Fly to thy lover and escape,
under his protection, this old gray-bearded tyrant,
who will treat thee like a dog.”
44 How can 1 fly, my pearl, for I know not the
language of my lover’s laud ; and save the two
words 4 Gilbert ’ and 4 London ,’ ’tis as unknown to
me as the valley o’er which Azreal conveys the
faithful, with closed e} T es.”
44 Trust in the God, whom he taught us to wor
ship. Recollect, my mistress, how he told you
that the huge barks sailed directly to the city in
wfiichjjhe lived. You have many, many gems,
and in exchange for them they will carry us as
safely as a mother bird doth her young. All thy
troubles will vanish before the sunshine of his
presence, and thou wilt imagine that the cup made
of ruby had been held to thy lips, and thou hast
quaffed from it a draught which hast made thee
forget all thy sorrows, everything but thy joys.”
44 How gladly, Alima, would 1 hearken to thee ;
but, my heart fadeth me, I have no thought how
to escape, and what to do. Had Imy choice, how
joyfully would I die, rather than wed Oman with
his honors and his riches
“Wilt thou trust thy slave to plan for thee?
Wilt thou unshrinkingly follow my lead, when 1
tell thee, I will carry thee to thy Knight?”
“Yes ; and I will reward and bless thee.”
“ Allah seems to smile upon the plan already,
for now, I bethink myself, that thy father goes in a
few days, to worship at the blessed shrine. Every
male attendant will be withdrawn to attend him,
save Selim; and he, we can win, as we have won
before.”
There was comfort in these plans to Gulnare,
and again her rose-lip wore an approach to a smile,
as she bade Alima to act as she knew best; whilst
she could only wait its accmplishment with a
beating heart. One must not wonder at her eager
ness to quit her father ; when they consider her
utter seclusion from his presence; contrasted,
too, as it was, by the devotion and tender bear
ing of the knight to her as his ladye-love.
chap. in.
“Love will find its way,
Thro’ paths, where wolves would tear to prey
When old Achmed and his train, set out on
their holy pilgrimage, the cunning Alima, by her
sweet smiles and rich gifts,,won the consent of old
Selim to allow her mistress and herself, logo to the
next town to see a few ot its wonders. Ihe old
man hesitated long, for he had the fear of death be
fore his eyes ; but after many promises of speedy
return from Alima, he consented ; and himselr pur
chased for them the dress of young Arab-boys,
under which disguise they might safely travel.—
He however wished them to have a litter for their
conveyance, and spoke something of a veil; but
Alima, at once pointed out the foolishness of that
scheme, till old Selim himself laughed at the idea
of two country-boys, reclining in a litter with
veils!”
Imagine that short journey over, and the bright
eyed Gulnare in her coarse dress and travel
stained sandals, standing side by side with the
bolder Alima, who carried their worldly wealth
and changes of apparel in a waliet on her back.
“ ‘Thou would’st take passage for my coun
try ? ” said the Englishman in her own language,
“who would’st thou see there my boy ? ”
“A friend who has cared for me and whom 1
seek now when I have no other.”
“ My country is large and full of people, where
wilt thou find this friend ? Dost thou know the
name of the town where thou would’st go ? ”
“ London is where 1 must seek Gilbert,’* an
swered Gulnare, and the tears were welling up
into her eyes, and the blood mounting into her
cheeks at this close questioning.
“ Well, come on board and hide thyself,” said
the Englishman, after a penetrating look, “ I
owe no warm feelings to this land, and shall not
scruple to give thee a chance to get away. But I
strongly suspect from thy blushing cheek and soft
voice, that thou art no country lad, nor thy attend
ant either, for that merry eye belongeth to a wo
man, and a mischievous one too, or I am much
mistaken. But fear not, 1 will only help thee to
escape the sooner, and you must hide more close
ly till we come in sight of my own free isle, and
then you will have nothing to fear.”
The trembhng fugitives followed the kind
hearted sailor on board his vessel, which had been
trading in the Levants, and was now fortunately
returning to London, the very place to which her
hopes and wishes led her.
A voyage, to London was not then, as now, an
every day affair, but months had passed ere the
white dills of Albion saluted the expectant eyes
of the captain and his crew. The Eastern Maid
en had all this time, from her habit of seclusion,
as well as the fear of discovery, kept herself in
the cabin. Even their simple repasts were handed
in to Alima, by the Captain himself. At length
they reached the port, and in their place of re
treat the two maidens could hear the unaccus
tomed sounds as the vessel was fastened to the
wharf. The hurrying, busy feet, the strange lan
guage that saluted their ears, made them feel still
more alone. But they had brave hearts naturally,
and love was busy in the heart of Gulnare, which
buoyed her up.
“ Can 1 go with thee maiden to the house of
Gilbert, as thou call’st him,” said the Captain, for
this London is a large place. I fear to trust you
and attendant, not knowing our language and cus
toms in it.”
“ I know not where he lives, but we will seek
him.”
“ He may be dead, what then ? ”
“ Oh, no ! my own heart whispers
me. He lives, andtnat 1 shall find him.”
“ Hope is s rong in thy heart indeed, arid I wish
I could aid thee maiden. What name bears thy
lover—for he must be one from thy devotion —
besides Gilbert ? ”
“ 1 only know him by that name..”
“ Alas my child, yours will he a fruitless search,
for though in the wide world there is but one Gil
bert to the, there may be thousands bearing the
same title in thee city. But I must still try and
aid thee. Tell me what is your plan for finding
him ?”
“I will go around the city asking for Gilbert.
That is my only thought, yet so strong is my hope,
that it seems certain to me that 1 shall meet him.”
** Poor maiden !” said the pitying saiior, “ well!
I will do all I can for you. Thou and thy com
panion must come home with me, to my mother,
who will care for thee as women alone can do ;
and when you are rested, you can go forth, re
turning to my mother’s as thy resting place.”
“ May Allah bless thee !” said the grateful mai
den, as she kissed his rough hand. The bright
eyed Alima prostrated herself before him, but
was quickly raised by the Captain, who, already
pleased with the arch countenance, and loving
devoted ness of G ulna re’s slave, bad began to
think were she only a Christian, he should be glad
to make her his wife ; that she might cheer him
with her love and merry smiles, when returned
from his perilous voyages.
They accompanied him home; and the good
dame, his mother, opened her eyes in surprise at
the guests; but when acquainted by her son of
nil the particulars respecting them, she felt her
heart warm towards the beautiful girl who had
with so much courage crossed the deep sea to
meet her lover.
When rested, for the old dame would not listen
to her going forth without—behold Gulnare and
Alima, walking forth, and foolish as it may seem
inquiring from many the whereabouts of “Gil
bert.” ’Tis true, the worthy Captain went forth
with them. Many days did she return weary and
heart sick, for she had met many a light jest, and
(if they feared not the burly sailor) many an in
sult, from the vulgar and idle. Leave her still
hoping, still seeking and let me transport you to
another scene.
In a large and splendidly arranged chamber—
splendid for those times— lay extended on a couch
covered with rich furs, a tall slender person,
whose blue eves were fixed upon the summer
(which he could di cern through the open
window) dreamily as one whose thoughts are far
away. Disease long and weakening, had been
making inroads upon his frame, robbing his eye
of its fire, his cheek of its bloom. What sound
NUMBER 52.