He
had delayed to put Osmyn to death, only because he could appoint no man
to succeed him, of whom his fears did not render him equally suspicious:
but having now found, in Caled, a friend, whose fidelity had been
approved when there had been no intention to try it; and being impatient
to reward his zeal, and to invest his fidelity with that power, which
would render his services most important; he took a ring from his own
finger, and putting it upon that of Caled, 'Take this,' said he, 'as a
pledge, that to-morrow Osmyn shall lose his head; and that, from this
moment, thou art invested with his power.'
Caled having, in the conversation between ALMORAN and HAMET, discerned
indubitable treachery, which he imputed to Osmyn whose appearance
ALMORAN had then assumed, eagerly seized the opportunity to destroy him;
he, therefore, not trusting to the event of his accusation, had mingled
poison in the bowl which he presented to ALMORAN when he came out from
HAMET: this, however, at first he had resolved to conceal.
In consequence of his accusation, he supposed Osmyn would be questioned
upon the rack; he supposed also, that the accusation, as it was true,
would be confirmed by his confession; that what ever he should then say
to the prejudice of his accuser, would be disbelieved; and that when
after a few hours the poison should take effect, no inquisition would be
made into the death of a criminal, whom the bow-string or the scimitar
would otherwise have been employed to destroy.
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