"
Kadiga promised implicit obedience. In fact she knew more of the
malady of the princesses than they did themselves. Shutting herself up
with them, however, she endeavored to insinuate herself into their
confidence.
"My dear children, what is the reason you are so dismal and downcast
in so beautiful a place, where you have every thing that heart can
wish?"
The princesses looked vacantly round the apartment, and sighed.
"What more, then, would you have? Shall I get you the wonderful
parrot that talks all languages, and is the delight of Granada?"
"Odious!" exclaimed the princess Zayda. "A horrid, screaming bird,
that chatters words without ideas: one must be without brains to
tolerate such a pest."
"Shall I send for a monkey from the rock of Gibraltar, to divert you
with his antics?"
"A monkey! faugh!" cried Zorayda; "the detestable mimic of man. I
hate the nauseous animal."
"What say you to the famous black singer Casem, from the royal
harem, in Morocco? They say he has a voice as fine as a woman's."
"I am terrified at the sight of these black slaves," said the
delicate Zorahayda; "besides, I have lost all relish for music."
"Ah! my child, you would not say so," replied the old woman,
slyly, "had you heard the music I heard last evening, from the three
Spanish cavaliers, whom we met on our journey. But, bless me,
children! what is the matter that you blush so, and are in such a
flutter?"
"Nothing, nothing, good mother; pray proceed.
Pages:
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320