chief of the Jews in this city of
devils. I and my people are regarded by these followers of Mohammed as
worse than the dogs in their streets, yet, while they treat us with the
utmost indignity, they know that we are good traders, and as such bring
riches within their walls. I have power--the power of wealth--to help
you at a pinch; indeed I _have_ helped you, for it was only by means of
a promise of gold that I induced Sidi Hassan to spare your lives when
his men were bent on taking them. But that is not what I came to tell
you to-night. I came to say that the poor captive girls with whom you
voyaged to this place are for the present out of danger."

"Say you so?" exclaimed Mariano eagerly. "How can that be? Did I not
see Angela led to the slave-market this very afternoon?"

"You did, and I purchased her for the purpose of protecting her. She is
now in my house. Her sister and the infant have been sent as a
temporary gift or loan to the British consul, under whose care she is
safe _for the present_. But be not too sanguine," added Bacri, seeing
that Mariano's countenance brightened; "the whim of the Dey, or a change
of government, which latter is common enough here, may totally alter the
state of affairs. If the Dey willed it, I could not hold anything that
belongs to me for an hour. They call us dogs, and treat us as such."

"They are themselves dogs!" cried Mariano indignantly.

"Christians have called us by the same name," returned the Jew calmly,
"thereby proving the falsity of their own faith."

"Say not so!" cried Lucien with animation. "Many, calling themselves
Christians, have undoubtedly treated your race ill, but those who really
love the Lord Jesus cannot help respecting the people from whom Himself
sprang. I side not with those who disgrace themselves by vilifying the
Jews."

Lucien extended his hand as he spoke, and Bacri grasped it kindly.

"Bah! you are fools; all of you arrant idiots!" cried a wild-looking
ragged man in the neighbouring cell, starting up and glaring at them as
he clenched his fists. "What avails Christianity, or Judaism, or
anything else here? 'Tis a world of fiends!--ha, ha! murderers,
tormentors, hypocrites,--ha! ha!"

Here the man gave vent to a burst of wild ferocious laughter, so loud
that even the careless and callous warder was disturbed, and rattled his
keys as if about to enter. The sound appeared to send a chill to the
heart of the captive; an expressio