"Sir," added my uncle, "I have the advantage of being a Mahometan; and

according to the special customs of my country, with which you are

acquainted, this lady sold me her daughter by a straightforward and

honourable contract, sanctioned by our usages, recognized and supported

by our laws: these laws formally enjoin me to protect her, and to

maintain her always in a position corresponding with my own rank and

fortune, while they forbid me ever to abandon her. Under the same

contract this lady duly received her 'gift' or legitimate remuneration,

which had been estimated, fixed, and agreed to by her. Therefore, as you

will perceive, sir," he added, "no discussion in this case would ever be

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listened to by an Ottoman tribunal, and Madame Murrah's suit would be

ignominiously dismissed."

"We are in France," said Madame Murrah, "and my daughter has become

free!"

"To conclude, sir," continued my uncle, without taking any notice of

this objection, "this lady and I are both subjects of His Majesty the

Sultan. Ours is simply a private dispute between fellow-Turks, coming

entirely under the jurisdiction of our national tribunals, and is one in

which your French courts, as you will understand, have no authority to

interfere."

"You are not my daughter's husband!" exclaimed the Circassian; "she does

not belong to you any longer, for you have given her to your nephew, a

Giaour, an infidel!"

"Quite true, madam!" replied my uncle. "But," he continued, "these are

details in a private dispute, with which this gentleman is not

concerned. And I fancy he has by this time obtained sufficient

information."

"Certainly, sir," said the officer of the law, rising from his seat. "I

have taken down your replies, and my mission is accomplished."

Barbassou-Pasha, upon this conclusion, saluted him in his most dignified

manner and conducted him out with every polite attention.

The Circassian, exasperated beyond measure, had not moved: rage was

depicted on her whole countenance, and she looked like one determined to

fight it out to the bitter end.

"I must insist upon speaking to my daughter," she said passionately,

"and then we shall see!"

Just as he caught these words, my uncle came in, leading my poor

Kondjé-Gul by the hand.

"Come, you silly old fool," he said to Madame Murrah, changing his tone

quite suddenly, "you can see now that there is nothing left to you but

to submit. Swallow all your stupid threats! You will make a good thing

out of it all the same--for I give your daughter in marriage to my

nephew!"




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