Finally a man of dignified bearing and polished appearance came sauntering into the room and paused, glancing around in a careless manner.
The moment the old trader saw this man he hastened to him, rubbing his hands and bowing very low.
“Welcome, most noble Pasha!” he exclaimed. “I am sure I shall this night have the pleasure of beholding thy pleasure. Never before has any man brought to Damascus such a collection of feminine loveliness. Verily they are pearls beyond price.”
“So I have heard, Bilmah,” was the answer. “Already I have met two who have looked on your pearls, and they informed me that you had here one that was almost priceless in your estimation. My curiosity has been greatly aroused. I would look on this English maiden.”
“Oh, there are others equally beautiful,” the trader hastened to declare—“many others. Look, yonder is a fair Circassian. I bought her from her father, and paid him——”
“Never mind her. I am not looking for a Circassian. They weary me. I have traveled in the West, and the women of those lands interest me. I would see the English maiden.”
“But first thou shouldst see——”
“Not another one, old man! Show me the one I wish to see.”
“But, great Pasha, it was understood between us that I should bring thither for thee the fairest Circassian I could discover——”
The visitor cut the old man short.