faithful though uncontrollable Zubby, with a huge
triangular grass basket, Mrs Langley entered the tortuous streets of
the city, and proceeded to "shop."

Fear not, reader! It is not our purpose to drag you through the details
of the too well-known process. We pass onward to matters more
important.

Having traversed several streets in which Moors sat cross-legged,
embroidering purses and slippers with gold, in holes in the wall so
small that a good-sized bust might have objected to occupy them; where
cobblers, in similar niches, made and repaired round-toed shoes of
morocco leather, and the makers of horn rings for fingers, wrists, arms
and ankles wrought as deftly with their toes as with their fingers;
where working silversmiths plied their trade in precious metals and gems
in a free-and-easy open-air fashion that would have made the mouth of a
London thief water; and where idle Arabs sipped coffee and smoked the
live-long day, as though coffee and tobacco were the aim and end of
life--which latter they proved indeed to many of them,--Mrs Langley
with Agnes, followed by Zubby, paused before a niche in which were
displayed for sale a variety of curious old trinkets of a nondescript
and utterly useless character. In short, it appeared to be an Algerine
curiosity-shop. Here, while bargaining with the owner for some small
articles, she was surprised to hear a voice at her ear say in French--

"Madame, good morning; I have great pleasure in this unexpected
meeting."

She turned hastily, and found the Danish consul standing by her side.

"Ah, monsieur," she said, returning his salutation, "it is indeed seldom
that I wander alone through this labyrinth, but necessity compels me.
An English friend wishes me to send her a few characteristic articles,
and I can trust no one to choose them for me. But, you look anxious."

"Yes, excuse me," replied the Danish consul in haste, glancing round.
"I am followed, persecuted I may say. I had intended to call for your
husband to-day to beg him to use his influence with the Dey in my
behalf, but I cannot--circumstances--in short, will you kindly mention
to him that I am in trouble because of the non-payment of the tribute
due by our Government, and--"

Breaking off suddenly, the Danish consul bowed low and hurried away.
Mrs Langley observed that, immediately after, a chaouse, or executioner
of the palace, passed her.

This incident induced her to conclude her shopping rather