widely-opened door; the richly-dressed slaves at his side, and
behind him his secretary, in white, gold-embroidered robe, holding
the staff aloft.

The tschorbadji stepped toward him with a respectful air and a
forced smile. Osman arose slowly from the divan, and bowed
profoundly before his excellency.

The sharp glance of the pacha read at once, in the face of father
and son, that he was unwelcome, and told them so in a soft, friendly
voice. The tschorbadji protested, in flowery words and flattering
terms, which he knew would please Cousrouf Pacha, that he was
unutterably happy, inexpressibly flattered and delighted, at the
presence of his excellency.

Cousrouf Pacha replied with a gracious inclination of his stately
head, and appeared to find it perfectly natural that every one
should feel delighted when his excellency approached.

"Tell me, tschorbadji," he said, taking the place of honor on the
divan, and motioning the slave to bring him his gold-and-diamond-
studded chibouque--" tell me, tsohorbadji, is it true that the
village of Praousta is in revolt?"

"Unfortunately, your excellency, it is true," sighed the
tschorbadji; "the men have revolted, they will not pay the double
tax."

"Dogs! dogs! that are barking a little," said Cousrouf, with a
contemptuous shrug of his shoulders. "I think, tschorbadji, you