All the consuls repaired to the citadel, to
Bardissi, to protest, in the names of their respective countries,
against this unexpected outrage. Bardissi turned a deaf ear to their
protests and entreaties. He thought only of his empty coffers, and
of the necessity of paying the soldiers on the following day.
Nothing could induce him to retract his action. The collection of
the tax was enforced, and the money extorted from the foreigners.
The consuls, however, incensed at the outrage, and resolved not to
submit to such treatment, left Cairo in a body, followed by their
entire households, to repair to Alexandria to take up their
residence there. But, during the night preceding their departure,
the French consul had a long private conference with Mohammed Ali.
What passed at this interview no one knew. At daybreak Mohammed
accompanied the consul to the door of his house, and, in taking
leave of him, said in a low voice: "Only wait. The fruit is ripe and
will soon fall. Tell Courschid Pacha I am working for him, and am
still the sultan's faithful servant. Though it seem otherwise, I am
still working for him. Be assured, I shall act promptly when the
time for action comes."
On the following morning the defterdar gave the troops half their
pay, the sum raised by the tax imposed on the foreigners not being
sufficient to liquidate the whole amount. The soldiers, however,
were not satisfied with receiving half their pay, and went away
grumbling.
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