They repair to the house of
Mohammed Ali, and remain there in earnest and eager conversation
with the sarechsme throughout the entire night. And again, as on the
occasion of a former conference, the consul takes his departure
before the dawn of day.
The governor's secretary remains with Mohammed. He still has a
document to present to him, and Mohammed's eyes sparkle as he reads
it.
"I have but one further request to make of his excellency."
"What is it, sarechsme? I am instructed to comply with your wishes
in all things."
"I only wish to read the firman to Cousrouf myself."
"Let it be as you desire, sarechsme. If you ask this as a reward for
your faithful services, it is a petty one indeed; you are, however,
I believe, soon to receive a much greater one. When Courschid enters
Cairo, he will appoint you a pacha of two tails."
Mohammed hastily averted his face, and made no reply. No one should
see that the intelligence made him rejoice.
The fruit is ripe and ready to fall; the time for action has come.
On the following morning, a body of soldiers marches out and
surrounds the quarter of the city in which the Mameluke beys reside.
Bardissi and Ismail have both left the citadel, and now dwell in the
city. There they can live more comfortably and conveniently than up
in the citadel; and the Mameluke beys are in the habit of attaching
more importance to their comfort than the rest of the world.
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