We will bow to your wisdom
in humility! We will obey all your commands! Be one of us, Mohammed
Ali. Join us, and we will vanquish the Turks and reoccupy Cairo! You
shall be enthroned in the citadel as our chieftain; you shall rule
over Cairo and be our brother and comrade. Abandon the Turks! Now,
Mohammed Ali, I have finished. Give me an answer!"
His eager gaze was fastened on Mohammed's proud, tranquil
countenance in breathless suspense. The latter making no reply,
Bardissi repeated, in tones of entreaty almost, "Answer me, Mohammed
Ali!"
"Do you really suppose I can answer you?" said Mohammed, gently.
"Look at me; I wear the uniform of a Turkish general, and am in the
grand-sultan's, and, more immediately, in Cousrouf Pacha, the
viceroy's service. I am a soldier, who, wearing his uniform, must
ever be mindful that he has sworn the oath of fidelity. Moreover, I
am your prisoner. Do you suppose it would beseem the soldier to
treat with his enemy against his commander-in-chief? Would it, do
you think, become the prisoner to accept the proposals of him who
for the moment is his master; would it not look as though the
prisoner wished in this manner to purchase his freedom? And now
answer me, Bardissi!"
"This is my answer," said Bardissi, bowing his head with a smile:
"You are free, and no longer a prisoner. You were entrapped, and
brought here, because I wished to speak with you.
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