Mohammed Ali and His House

ve returned home crowned with victory. Damietta and Rosetta have fallen, and the Turks have everywh

s to witness the grand entra

comes Osman Bey Bardissi, the hero of so many battles. How sparkling his eyes, how radi

ned with its glittering crescent? He is unarmed, and yet he rides beside the sarechsme. His countenance is pale, and his lips are firmly compressed, as if to keep back a cry of rage that struggles for utterance. Who is this man? Can it be Cousrouf Pacha? Yes, it is he, the viceroy, the prisoner given to Mohammed Ali by Bar

sh that he is merely an object of contempt, while the air resounds with the people's enthusiastic greeting to the accursed

; the sarechsme's countenance is rad

day, and wish you a pleasant sojourn in your palace. I regret, however, that you are not to reside there entirely alone. The great Mamel

though it lay beneath the earth, could I be spa

me alone can you converse, and recall fond recollections of the past, and I shall therefore not fail to wait on

sword, that causes it to rush into the court-yard with a succession of quick bounds. The soldiers standing around

dle and lead him into the house. Mohammed seems to have forgotten him; let Ism

me alone; I only intrust my pr

tadel; there let his thoughts prey on the memor

carpets and flowers, and laughter and

he house of Sheik Sadat. The doors of her house and the park-gate are again thrown open. Sitta Nefysseh is at home; she sits behind the

utters a low cry, and with closed eyes reels back from the window. It is he-yes, she has seen him, the young Mameluke bey, galloping to

ul yearns for him! I would clasp him in my arms, and yet-no, it may not be! "murmurs she, interrupting herself and letting her arms sink down to her side. "No, it may not, can

uke bey, Youssouf, was waiting at the door with his suite, and

she, making an effor

to the adjoining room,

ese women and the open door were to stand guard over her h

ller. His deeds have elevated him, and his countenance is radiant with energ

my first thoughts were of you. I wished to hear from your s

Youssouf Bey! But rise, it does not become the her

I have returned I am your slave still.

es the gold-embroidered slipp

severe tones, "I command y

do," said he, springing to his feet; "and he now

o have so few servants about me, dare to take a Mameluke bey into my service? No, such honor were too great for me. You, Youssouf Bey, must go out into the world again. You will still accomplish many great deeds, and do me honor. For, when your deed

o, but fought like a lion, and earned a name. Now that I have returned, you refuse to give me the one reward I desire. While the bullets whistled about me, amid the din of battle, I th

hear his words, yet her countenance must not betray her. She s

ible. Youssouf Bey was not created for such purposes. He is a hero! Without, your men await you. Return to them. Those who imagine that peace

look on you, to love you, Sitta Nefysseh! To r

hear what your folly dictates? Mourad's widow commands you to be

rous, yet also cold like the diamond! You know no mercy; for, alas, you know not love! Yet, I conjure you, be merciful

low voice. "I shall remain convinced that you shou

! The great Bardissi will be welcome, and L'Elfi may also come. They may

them I shall say, depart also

trembled on her lips. "By my love," she had almost

more! From this day the doors of my house are clos

your threshold, I also am banished from your presence, and I therefore rather en

that Sitta Nefysseh's heart was touched against her will. She could

other man should cross

ou may come

Her voice sounds so sweet, so change

erself for a moment, she feels the ardent gaze that is fastened on her, and dare

l you, you may sometimes come,

movement she draws the curtain over the door; she knows that no one must see him at this moment; she knows he will fa

and opens his lips to utter a sweet word. Yet, he does not pronounce it, for, if what he thinks be true, the air itself may not he

ir kachef's countenance so radiant as now. He mounts his horse,

and, like him, she sinks down upon her knees, and stretches out her