i the Jew.

He found the master of the house seated in the central court, or skiffa,
drinking coffee with his wife and children.

"Bacri," said the Colonel, "may I venture to interrupt your present
agreeable occupation? I wish to have a talk with you in private."

"With pleasure," replied the Jew, rising and ushering his visitor into a
small apartment, the peculiar arrangement and contents of which
betokened it the wealthy merchant's study or office,--indeed, it might
have been styled either with equal propriety, for Bacri, besides being
an able man of business, was learned in Arabic literature--of which the
town possessed, and still possesses, a valuable library,--and was a
diligent student of the Hebrew Scriptures.

"You are aware," said the Colonel, "that I am, at your request, about to
use my influence with the Dey in behalf of certain friends of yours.
Now, there is an old saying--and I have great respect for many old
sayings,--that `one good turn deserves another.' May I, then, ask you
to do me a favour?"

"Certainly," said the Jew. "Name it."

"You must know, then, that the Dey has been pleased to send me a pretty
Portuguese girl as a slave, along with her infant child."

"I know it," said Bacri.

"You do? Well, this poor girl turns out to be a very sweet creature,
and my wife, although somewhat annoyed at first by the unexpected gift,
and puzzled what to do with her, is now so fond of her, and finds her so
gentle as well as useful, that she has set her heart on having Paulina
Ruffini--that is her name--freed and sent home. This, however, is not
the point. Paulina has a sister named--"

"Angela Diego," interrupted the Jew.

"Oh! you know that too?" said the Colonel, with some surprise. "You
seem to know everything that goes on in this curious city! Indeed, it
is a belief in this general knowledge of yours that brings me here.
Well, poor Paulina is naturally in great anxiety about her sister's
fate, not having heard of her since the day they were cruelly separated
by Sidi Hassan. The latter is now my janissary, and tells me that he
sold Angela to a Jew in the public market, and does not know where she
is. Believing that you can find this out for me, I have come hither
this morning on my way to the palace. Do you think you can?"

"I think I can," said the Jew, opening a door and beckoning to some one
without. "Come hither, Angela. A gentleman wishes to see you."

"What! is this Paulina's