Thus was the mind of Almoran to the instructions of Omar, as a rock slightly covered with earth, is to the waters of heaven:  the craggs are left bare by the rain that washes them; and the same showers that fertilize the field can only discover the sterility of the rock.

Omar, however, did not yet disclose his suspicions to Hamet, because he did not yet see that it could answer any purpose.  To remove Almeida from her apartment, would be to shew a distrust, for which there would not appear to be any cause; and to refuse Almoran access to her when he desired it, might precipitate such measures as he might meditate, and engage him in some desperate attempt:  he, therefore, contented himself with advising Hamet, to conceal the time of his marriage till the evening before he intended it should take place, without assigning the reason on which his advice was founded.

To the council of Omar, Hamet was implicitly obedient, as to the revelations of the Prophet; but, like his instructions, it was neglected by Almoran, who became every moment more wretched.  He had a graceful person, and a vigorous mind; he was in the bloom of youth, and had a constitution that promised him length of days; he had power which princes were emulous to obey, and wealth by which whatever could administer to luxury might be bought, for every passion, and every appetite, it was easy for him to procure a perpetual succession of new objects:  yet was Almoran, not only without enjoyment, but without peace; he was by turns pining with discontent, and raving with indignation; his vices had extracted bitter from every sweet; and having exhausted nature for delight in vain, he was repining at the bounds in which he was confined, and regretting the want of other powers as the cause of his misery.

Thus the year of mourning for Solyman was compleated, without any act of violence on the part of Almoran, or of caution on the part of Hamet:  but on the evening of the last day, Hamet, having secretly prepared every thing for performing the solemnity in a private manner, acquainted Almoran by a letter, which Omar, undertook to deliver, that he should celebrate his marriage on the morrow.  Almoran, who never doubted but he should have notice of this event much longer before it was to happen, read the letter with a perturbation that it was impossible to conceal:  he was alone in his private apartment, and taking his eye hastily from the paper, he crushed it together in his hand, and thrusting it into his bosom, turned from Omar without speaking; and Omar, thinking himself dismissed, withdrew.