monsieur, for this aunt is a person of great wealth."

"And yet alive to enjoy it," said Tewfick with smiling eyes.

"An aged and dying woman," thrust in Ryder in haste. "Her only care
now is to see her niece before she dies."

"Ah!... But that could be arranged," said Tewfick amiably.

"We have at once communicated with France," McLean told him, "but we
came instantly to you, to, inform you--"

"A thousand thanks and a thousand! The bearers of good tidings,"
smiled their host.

"Because we understand that there is a question of the young lady's
marriage," pursued McLean, "and you would, of course, wish to defer
this until these new circumstances are complied with."

The pasha stared. "Not at all. A fortune is as pleasant to a wife as
to a maid."

"There are so many questions of law," offered McLean with purposeful
vagueness. "French wardship and trusteeship and all that. It would
be advisable, I think, to wait."

"Absurd," said the pasha easily.

"You would want no doubts cast upon the legality of the marriage,"
McLean persisted thoughtfully, "and since mademoiselle is under age