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direful suspense the moment which should render them to each other the
like objects of terror。
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〃What！〃 exclaimed Nouronihar； 〃will the time come when I shall
snatch my hand from thine！〃
〃Ah！〃 said Vathek； 〃and shall my eyes ever cease to drink from thine
long draughts of enjoyment！ Shall the moments of our reciprocal
ecstasies be reflected on with horror？ It was not thou that broughtest me
hither； the principles by which Carathis perverted my youth have been the
sole cause of my perdition！〃 Having given vent to these painful
expressions； he called to an Afrit； who was stirring up one of the braziers；
and bade him fetch the Princess Carathis from the palace of Samarah。
After issuing these orders； the Caliph and Nouronihar continued
walking amidst the silent crowd； till they heard voices at the end of the
gallery； presuming them to proceed from some unhappy beings； who； like
themselves； were awaiting their final doom； they followed the sound； and
found it to come from a small square chamber； where they discovered
sitting on sofas five young men of goodly figure； and a lovely female； who
were all holding a melancholy conversation by the glimmering of a lonely
lamp； each had a gloomy and forlorn air； and two of them were embracing
each other with great tenderness。 On seeing the Caliph and the daughter
of Fakreddin enter； they arose； saluted； and gave them place； then he who
appeared the most considerable of the group addressed himself thus to
Vathek：
〃Strangers！ who doubtless are in the same state of suspense with
ourselves； as you do not yet bear your hands on your hearts； if you are
come hither to pass the interval allotted previous to the infliction of our
common punishment； condescend to relate the adventures that have
brought you to this fatal place； and we in return will acquaint you with
ours； which deserve but too well to be heard； we will trace back our
crimes to their source； though we are not permitted to repent； this is the
only employment suited to wretches like us！〃
The Caliph and Nouronihar assented to the proposal； and Vathek began；
not without tears and lamentations； a sincere recital of every circumstance
that had passed。 When the afflicting narrative was closed； the young man
entered on his own。 Each person proceeded in order； and when the fourth
prince had reached the midst of his adventures； a sudden noise interrupted
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him； which caused the vault to tremble and to open。
Immediately a cloud descended； which gradually dissipating；
discovered Carathis on the back of an Afrit； who grievously complained of
his burden。 She； instantly springing to the ground； advanced towards her
son； and said：
〃What dost thou here in this little square chamber？ As the Dives are
become subject to thy beck； I expected to have found thee on the throne of
the pre…adamite kings。〃
〃Execrable woman！〃 answered the Caliph； 〃cursed be the day thou
gavest me birth！ go； follow this Afrit； let him conduct thee to the hall of
the Prophet Soliman； there thou wilt learn to what these palaces are
destined； and how much I ought to abhor the impious knowledge thou hast
taught me。〃
〃The height of power to which thou art arrived has certainly turned thy
brain；〃 answered Carathis； 〃but I ask no more than permission to show my
respect for the Prophet。 It is； however； proper thou shouldest know； that
（as the Afrit has informed me neither of us shall return to Samarah） I
requested his permission to arrange my affairs； and he politely consented；
availing myself； therefore； of the few moments allowed me； I set fire to the
tower； and consumed in it the mutes； negresses； and serpents which have
rendered me so much good service； nor should I have been less kind to
Morakanabad； had he not prevented me by deserting at last to thy brother。
As for Bababalouk； who had the folly to return to Samarah； and all the
good brotherhood to provide husbands for thy wives； I undoubtedly would
have put them to the torture； could I but have allowed them the time； being；
however； in a hurry； I only hung him after having caught him in a snare
with thy wives； whilst them I buried alive by the help of my negresses；
who thus spent their last moments greatly to their satisfaction。 With
respect to Dilara； who ever stood high in my favour； she hath evinced the
greatness of her mind by fixing herself near in the service of one of the
Magi； and I think will soon be our own。〃
Vathek； too much cast down to express the indignation excited by such
a discourse； ordered the Afrit to remove Carathis from his presence； and
continued immersed in thought； which his companion durst not disturb。
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Carathis； however； eagerly entered the dome of Soliman； and； without
regarding in the least the groans of the Prophet； undauntedly removed the
covers of the vases； and violently seized on the talismans； then； with a
voice more loud than had hitherto been heard within these mansions； she
compelled the Dives to disclose to her the most secret treasures； the most
profound stores； which the Afrit himself had not seen； she passed by rapid
descents； known only to Eblis and his most favoured potentates； and thus
penetrated the very entrails of the earth； where breathes the Sansar； or icy
wind of death； nothing appalled her dauntless soul； she perceived；
however； in all the inmates who bore their hands on their hearts a little
singularity； not much to her taste。 As she was emerging from one of the
abysses； Eblis stood forth to her view； but； notwithstanding he displayed
the full effulgence of his infernal majesty； she preserved her countenance
unaltered； and even paid her compliments with considerable firmness。
This superb monarch thus answered： 〃Princess； whose knowledge
and whose crimes have merited a conspicuous rank in my empire； thou
dost well to employ the leisure that remai