of the blood-red standard that floated
over her central poop-lantern; and a chill struck to her heart--for the
thought of African pirates flashed to her mind! This alarm was, however,
as evanescent as it was poignant; for another moment's reflection
convinced her that none of the princes of Africa could send so proud a
fleet to sea. Following up the chain of reasoning thus suggested, and
calling to her aid all the accounts she had read of naval fights between
the Christians and the Moslems, she at length remembered that the
blood-red banner, with the gilt crescent in the middle, denoted the
presence of the Kapitan-Pasha, or Lord High Admiral of the Ottoman
Empire. Confidently believing that peace existed between Italy and
Turkey, she had now no longer any fears as to the treatment she was
likely to experience at the hands of the Mohammedans; and it was with
unfeigned joy that she beheld a boat, which had put off from the
admiral's ship, at length approaching the shore.

As the magnificently painted and gorgeously gilt barge, which
twenty-four white-turbaned rowers urged along with almost horse-race
speed, neared the strand, Nisida observed, beneath a velvet canopy in
the stern, a personage, who by his splendid apparel, his commanding
demeanor, and the respect paid to him by the slaves accompanying him,
was evidently of exalted rank. She accordingly conceived that this must
be the kapitan-pasha himself. But she was mistaken. Her delight at the
approach of the barge, which she fondly hoped would prove the means of
her deliverance from the island, was only equaled by the surprise of
those on board at beholding a beautiful and elegantly dressed lady,
unattended and alone, on the seashore, as if awaiting their arrival.
And, during the few minutes which now elapsed ere the barge touched the
strand, it was evident that the high functionary seated beneath the
canopy surveyed Nisida with increasing wonder and admiration; while she,
on her side, could not help noticing that he was remarkably handsome,
very young, and possessing a countenance rather of an Italian than a
Turkish cast of features.

Meantime a profound silence, broken only by the slight and uniform
sounds produced by the oars, prevailed: and when the boat touched the
strand, a long and wide plank, covered with velvet, was so placed as to
enable the high functionary before alluded to to land conveniently.
Attended by two slaves, who followed at a respectful distance