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〃None！ none！〃 replied the malicious Dive。 〃Know； miserable prince！ thou art now in the abode of vengeance and despair； thy heart also will be kindled； like those of the other votaries of Eblis。 A few days are allotted thee previous to this fatal period； employ them as thou wilt； recline on these heaps of gold； command the Infernal Potentates； range at thy pleasure through these immense subterranean domains； no barrier shall be shut against thee； as for me； I have fulfilled my mission； I now leave thee to thyself。〃 At these words he vanished。
The Caliph and Nouronihar remained in the most abject affliction； their tears unable to flow； scarcely could they support themselves。 At length； taking each other despondingly by the hand； they went faltering from this fatal hall； indifferent which way they turned their steps； every portal opened at their approach； the Dives fell prostrate before them； every reservoir of riches was disclosed to their view； but they no longer felt the incentives of curiosity； pride； or avarice。 With like apathy they heard the chorus of Genii； and saw the stately banquets prepared to regale them； they went wandering on from chamber to chamber； hall to hall； and gallery to gallery； all without bounds or limit； all distinguishable by the same lowering gloom； all adorned with the same awful grandeur； all traversed by persons in search of repose and consolation； but who sought them in vain； for every one carried within him a heart tormented in flames： shunned by these various sufferers； who seemed by their looks to be upbraiding the partners of their guilt； they withdrew from them to wait in direful suspense the moment which should render them to each other the like objects of terror。
〃What！〃 exclaimed Nouronihar； 〃will the time come when I shall snatch my hand from thine！〃
〃Ah！〃 said Vathek； 〃and shall my eyes ever cease to drink from thine long draughts of enjoyment！ Shall the moments of our reciprocal ecstasies be reflected on with horror？ It was not thou that broughtest me hither； the principles by which Carathis perverted my youth have been the sole cause of my perdition！〃 Having given vent to these painful expressions； he called to an Afrit； who was stirring up one of the braziers； and bade him fetch the Princess Carathis from the palace of Samarah。
After issuing these orders； the Caliph and Nouronihar continued walking amidst the silent crowd； till they heard voices at the end of the gallery； presuming them to proceed from some unhappy beings； who； like themselves； were awaiting their final doom； they followed the sound； and found it to come from a small square chamber； where they discovered sitting on sofas five young men of goodly figure； and a lovely female； who were all holding a melancholy conversation by the glimmering of a lonely lamp； each had a gloomy and forlorn air； and two of them were embracing each other with great tenderness。 On seeing the Caliph and the daughter of Fakreddin enter； they arose； saluted； and gave them place； then he who appeared the most considerable of the group addressed himself thus to Vathek：
〃Strangers！ who doubtless are in the same state of suspense with ourselves； as you do not yet bear your hands on your hearts； if you are come hither to pass the interval allotted previous to the infliction of our common punishment； condescend to relate the adventures that have brought you to this fatal place； and we in return will acquaint you with ours； which deserve but too well to be heard； we will trace back our crimes to their source； though we are not permitted to repent； this is the only employment suited to wretches like us！〃
The Caliph and Nouronihar assented to the proposal； and Vathek began； not without tears and lamentations； a sincere recital of every circumstance that had passed。 When the afflicting narrative was closed； the young man entered on his own。 Each person proceeded in order； and when the fourth prince had reached the midst of his adventures； a sudden noise interrupted him； which caused the vault to tremble and to open。
Immediately a cloud descended； which gradually dissipating； discovered Carathis on the back of an Afrit； who grievously complained of his burden。 She； instantly springing to the ground； advanced towards her son； and said：
〃What dost thou here in this little square chamber？ As the Dives are become subject to thy beck； I expected to have found thee on the throne of the pre…adamite kings。〃
〃Execrable woman！〃 answered the Caliph； 〃cursed be the day thou gavest me birth！ go； follow this Afrit； let him conduct thee to the hall of the Prophet Soliman； there thou wilt learn to what these palaces are destined； and how much I ought to abhor the impious knowledge thou hast taught me。〃
〃The height of power to which thou art arrived has certainly turned thy brain；〃 answered Carathis； 〃but I ask no more than permission to show my respect for the Prophet。 It is； however； proper thou shouldest know； that （as the Afrit has informed me neither of us shall return to Samarah） I requested his permission to arrange my affairs； and he politely consented； availing myself； therefore； of the few moments allowed me； I set fire to the tower； and consumed in it the mutes； negresses； and serpents which have rendered me so much good service； nor should I have been less kind to Morakanabad； had he not prevented me by deserting at last to thy brother。 As for Bababalouk； who had the folly to return to Samarah； and all the good brotherhood to provide husbands for thy wives； I undoubtedly would have put them to the torture； could I but have allowed them the time； being； however； in a hurry； I only hung him after having caught him in a snare with thy wives； whilst them I buried alive by the help of my negresses； who thus spent their last moments greatly to their satisfaction。 With respect to Dilara； who ever stood high in my favour； she hath evinced the greatness of her mind by fixing herself near in the service of one of the Magi； and I think will soon be our own。〃
Vathek； too much cast down to express the indignation excited by such a discourse； ordered the Afrit to remove Carathis from his presence； and continued immersed in thought； which his companion durst not disturb。
Carathis； however； eagerly entered the dome of Soliman； and； without regarding in the least the groans of the Prophet； undauntedly removed the covers of the vases； and violently seized on the talismans； then； with a voice more loud than had hitherto been heard within these mansions； she compelled the Dives to disclose to her the most secret treasures； the most profound stores； which the Afrit himself had not seen； she passed by rapid descents； known only to Eblis and his most favoured potentates； and thus penetrated the very entrails of the earth； where breathes the Sansar； or icy wind of death； nothing appalled her dauntless soul； she perceived； however； in all the inmates who bore their hands on their hearts a little singularity； not much to her taste。 As she was emerging from one of the abysses； Eblis stood forth to her view； but； notwithstanding he displayed the full effulgence of his infernal majesty； she preserved her countenance unaltered； and even paid