Suddenly the door opened, and two slaves appeared in
magnificent Grecian costume, richly embroidered, and placed
themselves at the open door. Then a third stepped forth, and
announced in a loud voice, "His excellency Cousrouf Pacha!" His
excellency entered, splendidly dressed, in a long velvet mantle,
trimmed with rare fur, in his turban a star of the most brilliant
diamonds flashed, and in the Persian shawl folded around his waist
glittered a dagger, studded with costly gems.
It was a splendid sight--the tall, proud man as he stood in the
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.
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