sleeve at the indignation with which his temerity had filled the
spectators.

The Caliph, however, whose ideas were confused and his head embarrassed,
went on administering justice at haphazard, till at length the prime
vizir, perceiving his situation, hit upon a sudden expedient to interrupt
the audience and rescue the honour of his master, to whom he said in a
whisper: "My Lord, the Princess Carathis, who hath passed the night in
consulting the planets, informs you that they portend you evil, and the
danger is urgent. Beware lest this stranger, whom you have so lavishly
recompensed for his magical gewgaws, should make some attempt on your
life; his liquor, which at first had the appearance of effecting your
cure, may be no more than a poison of a sudden operation. Slight not
this surmise; ask him at least of what it was compounded, whence he
procured it, and mention the sabres which you seem to have forgotten."

Vathek, to whom the insolent airs of the stranger became every moment
less supportable, intimated to his vizir by a wink of acquiescence that
he would adopt his advice, and at once turning towards the Indian, said:
"Get up and declare in full Divan of what drugs the liquor was compounded
you enjoined me to take, for it is suspected to be poison; add also the
explanation I have so earnestly desired concerning the sabres you sold
me, and thus show your gratitude for the favours heaped on you."

Having pronounced these words in as moderate a tone as a caliph well
could, he waited in silent expectation for an answer. But the Indian,
still keeping his seat, began to renew his loud shouts of laughter, and
exhibit the same horrid grimaces he had shown them before, without
vouchsafing a word in reply. Vathek, no longer able to brook such
insolence, immediately kicked him from the steps; instantly descending,