" Declare unto us now what is thine opinion, and what knowest thou concerning this thing. What is that, diffused in air, dissolved in water or concealed in earth, the subtle essence of which, being bestowed upon one of human mould, shall bring him nearest to the throne of Allah, (blessed be his name), and give him right to eat of the tree that standeth in the seventh heaven by the garden of the Eternal Abode And the first said, " It is Beauty," and the second, " li is Love," and the third, " It is Happiness." And there arose a contention among them ; and when they found that neither could convince the others, they agreed to depart each on his way, to search the elements of all things for that concordial mixture with which he would nourish a human soul into immortality. So they went their way. And after the lapse of a cycle of years, they re-turned again and sat by the well Zemzem. And each bore in his hand a^phial purer than crystal, sealed with the seal of Solomon the wise, the magnificent. Then spake the first, saying, " Earth hath no form of beauty from the flash of the diamond hidden in its deepest caves, through all the brilliant variety of gems and sands of gold ; no delicate pencilling from the first faint tinge upon the rose-bud's cheek to the gorgeous dyes of the flowers and fruits that deck the vale of Cashmere ; water hath no shade of color-ing from the sea-green lining of its coral caves, to the splendid iridescence of its pearly shells ; air hath no tint of the virgin stars, no ray of parted light ; vapor beareth no beauty in its morning clouds and rainbow hues, from which I have not ravished the subtlest source. Whatever form of Beauty can become apparent to the sense, either as breath of fragrance, sweetness of sound, or grace of motion, sub-limated to its purest element, lieth here enclosed for the endowment of whomsoever we shall choose." And he held up the phial, and lo ! it contained a liquid having a faint coloring of the rose. Theniipake the second and said, "The Almighty (blessed be he) hath given unto me that mysterious power by which I read the thoughts and purposes of men, even as the Holy 196 HEROINES OF THE CRUSADES.