“It may be so,” said the Dey; “and where and when dost thou propose to meet with her?”
“Here, and to-morrow.”
“How! in the palace?”
“Yes. Ask her and her little girl to come and dine with me,” said Ashweesha.
“That would be a high compliment,” returned the Dey dubiously; “such as has never been paid before, methinks, by a Dey of Algiers to any consul’s wife.”
“No matter,” returned the Sultana; “you have a high regard for Colonel Langley, and have often paid him unusual compliments,—why not compliment his wife?”
“Well, it shall be done. To-morrow afternoon prepare to receive her.”