Cyprus, who would accord them all reason and justice.

In conformity with this permission the janissaries opened a passage to
the door of the tent, and every one entered who pleased. Mahmoud made
Ricardo go in along with him, for being Hassan's slave his entrance was
not opposed. Several Greek Christians and some Turks appeared as
appellants, but all upon such trifling matters, that the cadi despatched
most of them without the formality of written declarations, rejoinders,
and replications. It is, in fact, the custom of the Turks that all
causes, except those which relate to marriage, shall be immediately and
summarily decided, rather by the rules of common sense than of legal
precedent; and among these barbarians (if such they are in this respect)
the cadi is the sole judge in all cases, cuts short the pleadings, gives
sentence in a breath, and there is no appeal from his decision.
Presently a khawass (that is to say, a Turkish alguazil) entered and
said that a Jew stood without, at the door of the tent, with a most
beautiful Christian maiden for sale. The cadi gave orders to admit him.
The khawass withdrew and immediately returned, accompanied by a Jew of
venerable appearance, who led by the hand a young woman clothed in the
Moorish dress, which became her so well that the most richly arrayed
women of Fez or Morocco could not be compared with her, though in the
art of adorning themselves they surpass all the other women of Africa,
not excepting even those of Algiers, with all their profusion of pearls.

The face of the female slave was covered with a mask of crimson taffety.
On her naked ankles she wore two rings, apparently of pure gold; and two
others, set with large pearls, on her arms, which shone through the
sleeves of a transparent camisole. Her whole dress was rich, gay, and
graceful. Struck by her appearance, the first thing the cadi and the
pashas did, was to bid the Jew make the Christian uncover her face. She
did so, and disclosed a countenance which, like the sun bursting through
thick clouds which have long obscured it, dazzled the eyes and gladdened
the hearts of the beholders. But on none did that marvellous light
produce such an effect as on the woe-worn Ricardo, for he saw before him
no other than his cruel and beloved Leonisa, whom he had so often and
with such bitter tears bewailed as dead.

At the unexpected sight of such unparalleled loveliness, Ali felt his
heart transfixed; Hassan's was pierce