"He sent you a new slave-girl lately, I believe?" said the Sultana, beginning to feel her way.
"Yes," exclaimed the guest with animation, "it was very kind of him; and I find her so sweet and amiable, and useful too. She assists me with my dear baby so admirably, as well as with the household, that I begin already to feel as if I could not get on without her. Do you know I have set my heart on raising sufficient money to ransom her and set her free?"
"Then you will only lose her, for she will certainly go home to her husband," observed Ashweesha, with a look of simplicity.
"Of course; I count on that," returned Mrs. Langley. "You know that we Christians differ from Mohammedans widely on the point of slavery; and I am sure," she added playfully, "you will not think me rude when I say that I mean to take advantage of your laws, and procure the ransom of as many slaves as possible during my residence here."
"If you had the wealth of a king," said Ashweesha, with a smile, "you could not ransom the half of them, they are so numerous."
"I am too well aware of that," rejoined the other sadly; "nevertheless, that does not exempt me from my duty. In the laws of my heavenly King and Saviour Jesus Christ it is written—'Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.'"
