sister?" said the consul in surprise, as a
pretty bright-eyed girl obeyed the summons.

"Speak, fair one," said the Jew. "Dost know of one Paulina Ruffini, and
her infant Angelina?"

We need scarcely add that Angela admitted, with a look of surprise, that
she did, and was overwhelmed with joy on finding that her sister was a
happy inmate of the consul's villa, and that in a short time she would
be permitted to see her.

Leaving the Jew's house, well satisfied with his unlooked-for success in
this matter, the consul proceeded to the palace, and was at once
admitted into the audience-chamber.

According to custom, the Dey was seated on a sort of throne, with the
huge lion-pup serving as a footstool. We have said before that this
lion had a decided antipathy to the British consul. Not being able to
speak, it could not give the reason why! Perhaps, although unable to
speak, it might have been able to understand what was said, and,
possibly, had taken offence at the straightforward manner in which the
consul had more than once remonstrated with the Dey for allowing so old
a pup to be at large. Be this as it may, certain it is that, on the
present occasion, the lion raised its head when the consul was
announced. On seeing his hated scarlet uniform, it uttered a savage
growl, sprang up, and ran out of the room by another door, with its tail
between its legs. In springing up, the brute had forgotten its
temporary character of footstool. The result was that the Dey was
tilted violently backwards, and fell off his throne in a confused and
most undignified heap!

Fortunately for the lion--perchance also for the consul--Achmet
possessed too much native dignity and common-sense to allow such an
accident to ruffle his temper. He rose and resumed his seat with a
hearty laugh, as he said--

"You see, Monsieur le Consul, that even lions are afraid of the English
uniform!"

"Your highness is pleased to be complimentary," replied the consul, with
a bow; "and that emboldens me to observe that a Dey should not retain
the services of one who is capable of showing fear."

"Perhaps you are right," returned Achmet, with a smile; "especially one
who has had the audacity to dethrone me.--And now, what demand have you
to make of me to-day? Not, I trust, that old one--the liberation of
slaves!"

"No, not exactly that," replied the consul. "Nevertheless," he added
earnestly, "I do come to make an appeal in behalf of slaves."