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what the feelings of the virtuous woman would have been； if she had
known； when she paraded us down the Hampstead Road two and two； that
she was walking with a stately step at the head of Polygamy and
Mahomedanism。 I believe that a mysterious and terrible joy with
which the contemplation of Miss Griffin； in this unconscious state；
inspired us； and a grim sense prevalent among us that there was a
dreadful power in our knowledge of what Miss Griffin （who knew all
things that could be learnt out of book） didn't know； were the main…
spring of the preservation of our secret。 It was wonderfully kept；
but was once upon the verge of self…betrayal。 The danger and escape
occurred upon a Sunday。 We were all ten ranged in a conspicuous
part of the gallery at church； with Miss Griffin at our headas we
were every Sundayadvertising the establishment in an unsecular
sort of waywhen the description of Solomon in his domestic glory
happened to be read。 The moment that monarch was thus referred to；
conscience whispered me； 〃Thou； too； Haroun！〃 The officiating
minister had a cast in his eye； and it assisted conscience by giving
him the appearance of reading personally at me。 A crimson blush；
attended by a fearful perspiration； suffused my features。 The Grand
Vizier became more dead than alive； and the whole Seraglio reddened
as if the sunset of Bagdad shone direct upon their lovely faces。 At
this portentous time the awful Griffin rose； and balefully surveyed
the children of Islam。 My own impression was； that Church and State
had entered into a conspiracy with Miss Griffin to expose us； and
that we should all be put into white sheets； and exhibited in the
centre aisle。 But； so Westerlyif I may be allowed the expression
as opposite to Eastern associationswas Miss Griffin's sense of
rectitude； that she merely suspected Apples； and we were saved。
I have called the Seraglio； united。 Upon the question； solely；
whether the Commander of the Faithful durst exercise a right of
kissing in that sanctuary of the palace； were its peerless inmates
divided。 Zobeide asserted a counter…right in the Favourite to
scratch； and the fair Circassian put her face； for refuge； into a
green baize bag； originally designed for books。 On the other hand；
a young antelope of transcendent beauty from the fruitful plains of
Camden Town （whence she had been brought； by traders； in the half…
yearly caravan that crossed the intermediate desert after the
holidays）； held more liberal opinions； but stipulated for limiting
the benefit of them to that dog； and son of a dog； the Grand Vizier…
…who had no rights； and was not in question。 At length； the
difficulty was compromised by the installation of a very youthful
slave as Deputy。 She； raised upon a stool； officially received upon
her cheeks the salutes intended by the gracious Haroun for other
Sultanas； and was privately rewarded from the coffers of the Ladies
of the Hareem。
And now it was； at the full height of enjoyment of my bliss； that I
became heavily troubled。 I began to think of my mother； and what
she would say to my taking home at Midsummer eight of the most
beautiful of the daughters of men； but all unexpected。 I thought of
the number of beds we made up at our house； of my father's income；
and of the baker； and my despondency redoubled。 The Seraglio and
malicious Vizier； divining the cause of their Lord's unhappiness；
did their utmost to augment it。 They professed unbounded fidelity；
and declared that they would live and die with him。 Reduced to the
utmost wretchedness by these protestations of attachment； I lay
awake； for hours at a time； ruminating on my frightful lot。 In my
despair； I think I might have taken an early opportunity of falling
on my knees before Miss Griffin； avowing my resemblance to Solomon；
and praying to be dealt with according to the outraged laws of my
country； if an unthought…of means of escape had not opened before
me。
One day； we were out walking； two and twoon which occasion the
Vizier had his usual instructions to take note of the boy at the
turn…pike； and if he profanely gazed （which he always did） at the
beauties of the Hareem； to have him bowstrung in the course of the
nightand it happened that our hearts were veiled in gloom。 An
unaccountable action on the part of the antelope had plunged the
State into disgrace。 That charmer； on the representation that the
previous day was her birthday； and that vast treasures had been sent
in a hamper for its celebration （both baseless assertions）； had
secretly but most pressingly invited thirty…five neighbouring
princes and princesses to a ball and supper： with a special
stipulation that they were 〃not to be fetched till twelve。〃 This
wandering of the antelope's fancy； led to the surprising arrival at
Miss Griffin's door； in divers equipages and under various escorts；
of a great company in full dress； who were deposited on the top step
in a flush of high expectancy； and who were dismissed in tears。 At
the beginning of the double knocks attendant on these ceremonies；
the antelope had retired to a back attic； and bolted herself in； and
at every new arrival； Miss Griffin had gone so much more and more
distracted； that at last she had been seen to tear her front。
Ultimate capitulation on the part of the offender； had been followed
by solitude in the linen…closet； bread and water and a lecture to
all； of vindictive length； in which Miss Griffin had used
expressions： Firstly； 〃I believe you all of you knew of it；〃
Secondly； 〃Every one of you is as wicked as another；〃 Thirdly； 〃A
pack of little wretches。〃
Under these circumstances； we were walking drearily along； and I
especially； with my。 Moosulmaun responsibilities heavy on me； was
in a very low state of mind； when a strange man accosted Miss
Griffin； and； after walking on at her side for a little while and
talking with her； looked at me。 Supposing him to be a minion of the
law； and that my hour was come； I instantly ran away； with the
general purpose of making for Egypt。
The whole Seraglio cried out； when they saw me making off as fast as
my legs would carry me （I had an impression that the first turning
on the left； and round by the public…house； would be the shortest
way to the Pyramids）； Miss Griffin screamed after me； the faithless
Vizier ran after me； and the boy at the turnpike dodged me into a
corner； like a sheep； and cut me off。 Nobody scolded me when I was
taken and brought back； Miss Griffin only said； with a stunning
gentleness； This was very curious！ Why had I run away when the
gentleman looked at me？
If I had had any breath to answer with； I dare say I should have
made no answer； having no breath； I certainly made none。 Miss
Griffin and the strange man took me between them； and walked me back
to the palace in a sort of state； but not at all （as I couldn't help
feeling； with astonishment） in culprit state。
When we got there