But you, Mohammed,
are wise and shrewd, and have much experience and knowledge of the
world. Advise me, sarechsme, as to the means of raising money. I
myself, I confess, am at a loss to devise new means of replenishing
my empty coffers."
"I thank you for the high honor you do me," replied Mohammed.
"Advise you, the wise and experienced statesman! How flattering such
a privilege to me! Yet, unfortunately, I must confess that I know
not what to advise. But," he suddenly added, "one thing occurs to
me. You have taxed the merchants, you have taken money from the
ulemas, you have exacted it from the sheiks; but one thing you have
forgotten--to tax the women, highness!"
"The women!" said Cousrouf, recoiling a step. "How could I tax the
women? What women?"
"The wives of the Mameluke beys!" replied Mohammed. "You were
gracious enough, highness, to permit these ladies to remain here in
their palaces, in which they were accustomed to live like
princesses."
"I gave my word, Mohammed Ali, that the wives of the Mameluke beys
should remain here, and that they should not be molested. I gave my
word. I did it because I knew that the people would suffer if the
rich ladies, whose splendid house holds give employment and food to
so many people, should be banished from the city. I did it for this
reason, and must now keep my word."
"And they shall remain here unmolested, highness.
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