The next day the Spanish slave was summoned to continue his narrative.
“Your sublime highness of course recollects where I left off yesterday evening,” commenced the slave.
“Perfectly well,” replied the pacha, “you left off at the beginning of your story; but I hope you will finish it this evening, as I have already forgotten a great deal of what you said.”
“Your highness may recollect that I was seated—”
“Yes, in our presence,” interrupted the pacha; “such was our condescension to a Giaour. Now go on with your story.”
“With due submission to your highness, I was seated on a sofa, between my mother Donna Celia and my mistress Donna Clara.”
“Very true; I recollect now that you were.”
“A hand clasped in the hand of each.”
“Exactly,” replied the pacha, impatiently.
“And was about to tell a story of my own invention, to deceive the old lady my mother.”