His patron Kaflis received him with an
encouraging smile.
"The talisman already works;" said the eunuch: "she has passed a good
night, and confesses to an improvement. Our purses are safe. Methinks
I already count the gold. But I say, worthy Hakim, come hither, come
hither," and Kaflis looked around to be sure that no one was within
hearing, "I say," and here he put on a very mysterious air indeed,
"the prince is generous; you understand? We go shares. We shall not
quarrel. I never yet repented patronizing a man of science, and I am
sure I never shall. The prince, you see, is violent, but generous. I
would not cure her too soon, eh?"
"You take a most discreet view of affairs," responded Iskander, with an
air of complete assent, and they entered the chamber of the tower.
Iduna performed her part with great dexterity; but, indeed, it required
less skill than herself and her advisers had at first imagined. Her
malady, although it might have ended fatally, was in its origin
entirely mental, and the sudden prospect of freedom, and of restoration
to her country and her family, at a moment when she had delivered
herself up to despair, afforded her a great and instantaneous benefit.
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