Paul Patoff

natural scenery, or of a city; and though we may read the most accurate descriptions of a place, and vividly picture to ourselves what we have never seen, yet

re in love, as being beautiful if they are well, hideous if they are

e; from the devil-may-care English youth in white flannel to the graceful Turkish adjutant on his beautiful Arab horse; from the dark-eyed Armenian lady, walking slowly by the water's edge, to the terrifically arrayed little Greek dandy, with a spotted waistcoat and a thunder-and-lightning tie. He sees them all: the Levantine with the weak and cunning face, the swarthy Kurdish porter, the gorgeously arrayed Dalmatian embassy servant, the huge, fair Turkish waterman in his spotless white dress, and the countless veiled Turkish women from

ter, scarcely rippling under the gentle northerly breeze, the long hills of the Asian mainland stretch to the left as far as the mouth of the Black Sea, and to the right until the quick bend of the narrow channel hides Asia from view behind the low promontories of the European shore. Now and then a big ferry-boat puffs into sight, churning the tranquil waters into foam with her huge paddles; a dozen sailing craft are in view, from Lord Mavourneen's smart yawl to the outlandishly rigged Turkish schooner, her masts raking forward

pecial mission is to out-procrastinate the procrastinator. For the present the little yawl is an important factor in his operations, and as he stands in his rough blue clothes, looking up through his single eyeglass at the bellying canvas, a gentle smile upon his strongly marked face betrays considerable satisfaction. Lord Mavourneen is a very successful man, and his smile and his yacht have been elements of no small importance in his success. They characterize him historically, like the tear which always trembles under the left eyelid of Prince Bismarck, like the gray overcoat of Bonaparte, the black tights and gloomy looks of Hamlet the Dane, or Richelieu's kitten.

of the upper Bosphorus. He sinks early behind the wooded hills above Therapia, and when he is hidden the evening freshness begins, and the crowd

ooked like an Englishman, tall, fair, and rather angular, with hard blue eyes, an aquiline nose, a heavy yellow mustache concealing his mouth, and a ruddy complexion. He was extremely well dressed, and,

feet were small and well shaped. Nevertheless, his manner was at least as self-possessed as that of his tall brother, and there was something in his look which suggested the dashing, reckless spirit sometimes found in delicately constituted men. Alexander Patoff was a soldier, and had obtained leave to visit his younger brother Paul in Constantinople, where the latter held the position of second secretary in the Russian embassy. At first s

ld Patoff's fortune, however, was sufficient, and they had lived happily for ten years, when he had died very suddenly, leaving a comfortable provision for his wife, and the chief part of his possessions to Alexander Paolovitch Patoff, his el

onstantinople at present. On the other hand, the climate of northern Russia suited her even less well in summer than in winter, and, to her great regre

mpathy, and too proud to ask for what was not given him freely. Alexander was quick-witted, talented, and showy, if I may use so barbarous a word. Paul was slow at first, ungainly as a young foal, strong without grace, shy of attempting anything new to him, and not liking to be noticed. Both father and mother, as the boys grew up, loved the older lad, and spoiled him, while the younger was kept forever at his books, was treated coldly, and got little praise for the performance of his tasks. Had Paul possessed less real energy of character, he must have hated his brother; as it was, he silently disliked him, but inwardly resolved to outshine him in everything, laboring to that end from his boyhood, and e

ing the ca?ques shoot out from the sho

ind?" asked Paul, withou

e where we go. I suppo

You have never see

Eve in Moscow?" asked A

nor drink a glass of water, and of course they eat nothing-until sunset, when the gun is fired. During the last week there are servic

xander, languidly, lighting a cigarette with a bit o

must see it. You cannot be here at this ti

else this evening?

ave a holiday during this month. Nothing can be done. The people at the palace do not

they get up at all, until their ridic

Sophia to-night, and see the service," said Paul,

he trouble of coming away," answered the other. "Bah!

upon low cushions, sat two ladies, side by side. Behind them, upon the stern, was perched a hideous and beardless African, gorgeously arrayed in a dark tunic heavily laced with gold, a richly chased and adorned sc

ly. "I never saw such a yashmak. It is as thic

id Alexander. "I tell

e a mask. Paul Patoff justly remarked that this was very unusual. He had observed the same peculiarity at least twenty times; for in the course of three weeks, since Alexander arrived, the brothers had seen this same lady almost every day, till they had grown to expect her, and had exhausted all speculation in regard to her personality. Paul maintained that she was ugly, because she would not show her face. Alexander swore that she was beautiful, because her hand was young and white and shapely, and because, as he said, her attitude was graceful and her head moved well when she turned it. Concerning her hand, at least, there was no doubt, for a

"Kiope 'oul kiopek,"-dog and son of a dog; the oarsmen grinned and pulled harder than ever, and the ca?que shot past the pier. Paul shrugged his shoulders contemptuously,

w who she is,"

wered Paul. "Those fell

m sure he knows." Paul was willing to

hat Khanum is?" he

eplied the man, without m

ow who her

y Abraham, who is the father of

ing about her," he said,

swered Alexander testily. "Let

Paul. "I have no intention of

rouble? We have as good a right to

r them. It is contrary to t

for custom," re

d every woman you met, merely saying, 'The Lord is risen,' by way of excuse, as

s an ox-cart, Paul

tly contrary to the manners of the country, you will not find my chief disposed to help you out of trouble. We are disliked enough alrea

ied Alexander, who was

We can walk through Mesar Burnu

ounds b

llage did not interest him, and he was not inclined to talk as he picked his way over the muddy stones, chewing his discontent and regretting the varnish of his neat boots. Presently they emerged from the crowd of vegetable venders, fishmongers, and sweetmeat sellers into a broad green lane between two grave-yards, where the huge silent trees grew up straight and sad from the sea of white tombstones which stood at eve

re is a delicious sense of rest after leaving the noise and dust of the quay. Both men smoked and drank their coffee in silence. Paul could not help wishing that his brother would take a little more interest in Turkey and a little less in the lady of the thick yashmak; and especially he wished that Alexander might finish his visit without getting into trouble. He had successfully controlled him during three weeks, and in another fortnight he must return to Russia. Paul confessed to himself that his brother's visit was not an unmitigate

e said suddenly, as h

"Coffee, cold water, and a few cakes. That

er. "What a barbarous country this is! Nothi

abuse them for not keeping restaura

p with in the war. They might have learned something from us then; but

aul, rather bitterly. "It is utterly impossible to please you,-

ney?" sneered his brother.

y, youth, good looks, and social success; and ye

w the name of the lady in the

hills, and the cool of the evening had descended on the woods and the Valley of Roses. The green grass and the thick growth of shrubs took a darker color, and the first dampness of

d Alexander. "Her

es at the two Russians, whom he had already recognized. The way was very narrow, and the ladies saw that retreat was impossible. Paul bit his lip, fearing some foolish rashness on the part of his brother. As they all met, the ladies drew close to the hedge on one side of the path,

his head as he passed, and looking lon

neous. Without a word and without hesitation, the tall negro struck a violent blow at Alexander with the light bamboo he carried. Paul, who was immediately

itedly, as the negro

of the negro beating a Frank gentleman was novel and refreshing. Alexander picked up his ha

authoritatively. "There will

r, he was a Russian, and utterly regardless of consequences,-or

e said, quietly producing a s

path, began to scream loudly for help. The negro, who was proof against blows and would not have shown much fea

y, walking up to his brother. But he turned once more to the black attenda

speaking excitedly, and imploring them to make haste. The two brothers

ave Constantinople to-morrow," he said, st

"it is of no consequence. T

de within two hours, and there will be trouble. The law protects them. These fellows are authorized to strike anybody who speaks to th

the gates of the embassy. The huge Cossack who stood by the entrance saluted them gravely, and Paul drew a long breath of relief as he entered the pretty pavilion in the garden in which he had his quarters. A

xander, irritated at his brother's coldness. Paul laid d

u are a fool,"

ng his temper, and rising to his feet, "I

. Are you aware that you do me ver

indignantly. "As if there were any h

will be that I shall be sent to another post, with a black mark in the service. Do you call that a joke? It is very well for you, a rich officer in the guards, taking a turn i

e divan. "I do not believe it. You are an old wom

t all, I prefer that it s

ses, and see if I cannot find her again." Suiting the action to the word, he moved towards the door. All th

ill have you arrested. We are in Russia inside these gates, and there are a

ood boiled up to his face. He strode towards his brother as though he would have struck him, but something in Paul's eyes checked the intention. He held his heavy silver cigarette case in his hand; turning on his heel with an oath

an glanced at Alexander's angry face and at

arsh tones, as he impatiently paced the room. "You shall pay for it!" he almost yelled, and then stood still, suddenly, while Paul rose from his chair. The door was opened again,

guest as well as your brother's, and that the windows are open. Even the soldiers at the gates can hear y

swer, the old diplomat fa

doing? You are ruining me,-and for what? Not even because you have a capri

fallen cigarette case. Then he handed it

te and be quiet, like a

ave the room. The presence of the servant did not tend to pacify Alexander, whose face was still flushed with anger, as he roughly took the silver case and turned away with a furious glance. The servant had noticed, i

erable," he sai

," returned the other. "The Varna boat l

ing some control of his temper at the prospect

towards

length the violence and, as he described it, the "impossibility" of his brother's character. He had all the pettiness of a bad child; he knew that he was his mother's favorite, and he naturally went to her for sy

afternoon. On the other hand, since Alexander had expressed his determination to leave Buyukdere the next day, he was determined that on his side the parting should be amicable. He could control his mood so far as to be civil during dinner, and to converse upon general topics. Alexander sat down to table in silence. His face was pale again, and his eyes had regained that simple, trustful look which was so much at variance with his character, and which, in the opinion of his admirers, constituted one of his chief attractions. It is unfortunate that, in general, the expression of the eyes should have less importance than that of the other features, for it always seems that by the eyes we should judge most justly. As a matter of fact, I think that the passions leave no trace in them, although the

embassy kaváss was waiting outside to conduct them to Santa Sophia. Alexander, who wanted diversio

uted. This man, who was formerly always a Janizary, is at present a veteran soldier, and therefore a Mussulman; for Christians rarely enter the army in Constantinople, being permitted to buy themselves off. He is usually a man remarkable for his trustworthy character, of fine presence, and generally courageous. He wears a magnificent Turkish military dress, very richly adorned with gold embroidery, girt with a splendid sash, in which are thrust enough weapons to fill an armory,-knives, dirks, pistols, and daggers,-while a huge scimiter hangs from his sword-belt. When he is on active service, you will detect somewhere among his trappings the brown leather case of a serviceable army revolver. The reason of this outfit is a very simple one. The kaváss i

quay. The night was exceedingly dark, for as the appearance of the new moon terminates the month Ramazán, and as the ceremonies take place only during the last week of the month, there can, of course, be no moonlight. But a dark night is darker on the black waters of the Bosphorus than anywhere else in the world; and the darkness is not relieved by the illumination of

remaining in the cushioned cabin. The sailors cast off the moorings, and the strong little screw began to beat the water. In t

egar Seller

was ashamed of his violent temper and disgusted with his brother's coldness, wished that he might never come back. Indeed, he was inclined to say so, and to spend the night at a hotel in Pera; but he was ashamed of that too, now that his anger had subsided, and he made up his mind to be morally uncomfortable for at l

time he had ever fallen in love with a veil. The sweet air of the Bosphorus blew in his face, the distant lights twinkled and flashed past as the steam launch ran swiftly on, and Alexander dozed in his chair, dreaming that the scented breeze had blown aside the folds of the yashmak, and that he was gazing on the most beautiful face in the world. That is one of the characteri

shing away into the darkness amidst tremendous splashing of paddles and blowing of steam whistles. A few minutes later the launch ran alongside of t