"
"A house shall be prepared for you," said the pacha; "I will see to
this myself. Remain in my palace to-day; tomorrow you shall have a
house of your own. Now go and select the best of the horses. I hope
you are a connoisseur, and will easily pick out the best one; it
shall be delivered to you completely equipped." He calls a slave who
stood waiting without, and commands him to conduct the sarechsme to
the courtyard, and order the horses to be led before him.
Mohammed, his head bowed down in profound reverence, withdraws to
the door, walking backward. Cousrouf follows him with his eyes until
the door has closed behind him, and then a smile glides over his
countenance.
"This man is won over to my interests. He is right; he is
transformed, body and soul, and he is mine. And truly such a friend
is a valuable possession."
Mohammed descends with the slave to the court-yard. The latter
hastily summons the equerry, and delivers his master's message. The
beautiful horses, with their splendid trappings, are now led before
Mohammed. The new sarechsme selects the handsomest and best; he
wishes to show the viceroy that he can judge of the beauty and fire
of a horse. Mohammed then retires to the rooms set apart for him in
a wing of the palace. When left alone, his grave countenance
relaxes, and a triumphant smile plays about his lips.
"The work is begun," murmurs he to himself.
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