"You have no right to rob me of my daughter," exclaimed the Circassian,

who was nearly delirious with rage.

"That is just the point we are about to discuss," replied my uncle.

"Firstly, then, allow me to introduce myself to you, sir," he continued,

quite calmly; "and to explain my position and rights in this matter. My

name is The Late Barbassou, ex-General and Pasha in the service of His

Majesty the Sultan--ranks which entitle me to the privileges of a

Turkish subject."

The commissary smiled and nodded to him, thus indicating that the name

of Barbassou-Pasha was already known to him.

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"As a consequence of these rights, sir," continued my uncle, "my private

transactions cannot come before the French courts; so that this affair

must be settled entirely between Madame Murrah and myself. I should

even add, while expressing to you my regrets for the inconvenience which

it is causing you, that it is I who have brought about this very

necessary interview. I presented myself twice at Madame Murrah's house

in Paris, with the object of bringing this stupid business to a

conclusion. For reasons, no doubt, which you are already in a position

to estimate, she refused to see me. I arranged, therefore, that she

should be informed yesterday that her daughter was concealed in this

house; and I came here at once myself, in order to have the pleasure of

meeting the lady. There you have the whole story."

"I refused to see you," said Kondjé-Gul's mother, "simply because I do

not know you! And I ask the judge to order the restitution of my

daughter, which the Ambassador of our Sultan supports me in demanding. I

have his order to this effect."

Here the commissary intervened, and, addressing my uncle, whose

imperturbable composure quite astounded me, said gravely: "Would you oblige me, sir, by stating your motive for refusing to give

up this young lady to her mother? According to our laws, as you are

aware, this is a circumstance which, notwithstanding the purely

voluntary character of my mandate, I am bound to enter in my report."

"Certainly, sir," replied my uncle, "your request is a very proper one,

and I will at once reply to it, as I would have done in the presence of

the consul of His Excellency the Turkish Ambassador, were it not that

Madame Murrah has strong motives for avoiding such an explanation before

him, between good Mussulmans like herself and me."

"I understand you," continued the commissary, suppressing another smile

at this declaration of Barbassou-Pasha.




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