first choice of. You may thank me for that privilege.'

'After, of course, you had suited yourself, my cunning Raphael?'

'Not I. Women are bores, as Solomon found out long ago. Did I
never tell you? I began, as he did, with the most select harem in
Alexandria. But they quarrelled so, that one day I went out, and
sold them all but one, who was a Jewess--so there were objections on
the part of the Rabbis. Then I tried one, as Solomon did; but my
"garden shut up," and my "sealed fountain" wanted me to be always in
love with her, so I went to the lawyers, allowed her a comfortable
maintenance, and now I am as free as a monk, and shall be happy to
give your excellency the benefit of any good taste or experience
which I may possess.'

'Thanks, worthy Jew. We are not yet as exalted as yourself, and
will send for the old Erictho this very afternoon. Now listen a
moment to base, earthly, and political business. Cyril has written
to me, to say that you Jews have plotted to murder all the
Christians.'

'Well--why not? I most heartily wish it were true, and think, on
the whole, that it very probably is so.'

'By the immortal--saints, man! you are not serious?'

'The four archangels forbid! It is no concern of mine. All I say
is, that my people are great fools, like the rest of the world; and
have, for aught I know or care, some such intention. They won't
succeed, of course; and that is all you have to care for. But if