d him on
a level with the proudest potentates in the Christian world.

In the meantime the little party had entered the precincts of the
Ottoman encampment, a complete city of tents and pavilions, ranged in
the most admirable order, and with all the regularity of streets.

A solemn silence prevailed throughout the camp, interrupted only by the
measured pace and the occasional challenge of sentinels.

At length Flora and her aunt perceived, in the clear moonlight, a
pavilion loftier, larger, and more magnificent than any they had yet
seen. The pinnacle glittered as if it were tipped with a bright star;
the roof was of dazzling whiteness; and the sides were of dark velvet,
richly embroidered with gold. It stood in the midst of a wide space, the
circumjacent tents forming a complete circle about it. Within this
inclosure of tents the sentries were posted at very short intervals; and
instead of walking up and down, they stood motionless as statues, their
mighty scimiters gloaming in the moonlight.

In profound silence did the little party proceed toward the entrance of
the vast pavilion, which the females had no difficulty in discerning to
be the habitation of the potent and dreaded chief into whose presence
they were now repairing.

In front of this splendid tent floated two large banners, each from the
summit of a tall javelin, the head of which was of burnished gold. One
of these enormous flags was green; the other was blood-red. The first
was the sacred standard of the Prophet Mohammed, and accompanied the
grand vizier in his capacity of representative and vice-regent of the
sultan; and the latter was the banner which was always planted in front
of the pavilion inhabited by the seraskier, or commander-in-chief of the
Ottoman army.

At the entrance of the vast tent stood four mounted sentinels, horses
and men alike so motionless that they seemed to be as many equestrian
statues.

"In a few moments," whispered the leader of the little escort to the two
females, "you will be in the presence of the grand vizier, who will
receive you alone."

"And Alessandro Francatelli?" inquired Flora, in a tone of
disappointment, "will he not be there also?"

"Fear not, you shall behold him shortly," answered the Turk; and passing
behind the mounted sentinels, he drew aside the velvet curtain, at the
same time bidding Flora and her aunt enter the pavilion.

A blaze of light bursting forth from the interior of the magnificent