French and Oriental Love in a Harem

The removal is now settled. A talk with my uncle simplified matters. As

you may imagine, I had to explain to him the risks entailed by such an

occurrence as my aunt's visit, which might lead her mind to revert to

some incidents in the Captain's past life which had so far remained

unintelligible. Barbassou Pasha did not trouble himself very seriously

about it, but he approved of my decision, and, contenting himself with a

few growls at me by the way, affectionately proceeded to give me the

assistance of his experience. It seems that he has--or rather I have--a

house at Paris, which was furnished expressly for the use of His

Excellency Mohammed Azis during my uncle's visits there. Orders have

already been sent to have it ready. Then plausible reasons for my

departure have been invented; some pretended business of importance,

which we have been discussing several days past before my aunt, and

which "might necessitate my presence in Paris." Truly my uncle's

composure is wonderful!

As to my houris of El-Nouzha, I need hardly tell you that the coming

journey has been the subject of a most extraordinary enthusiasm on their

part. The idea of seeing Paris has quite turned their heads, and caused

them to forget their proposed visits to Férouzat. In order to put all

conjectures off the scent, Mohammed is going to start to-morrow

ostensibly for Marseilles, as if he were returning to Turkey. The cool

November weather having set in, nothing could be more natural than this

return to his native land. The end of his journey, however, will be the

Faubourg St. Germain, to which he will direct his course by a circuitous

route, and where I shall rejoin him on my arrival at Paris next week.