ll be a great opening
here. I think of doing a little myself in cottons; but the house of
Besso will monopolise everything.'

'I don't think the English can do much here,' said the Consul, shaking
his head. 'What have we to give them in exchange? The people here had
better look to Austria, if they wish to thrive. The Austrians also have
cottons, and they are Christians. They will give you their cottons, and
take your crucifixes.'

'I don't think I can deal in crucifixes,' said Barizy of the Tower.

'I tell you what, if you won't, your cousin Barizy of the Gate will. I
know he has given a great order to Bethlehem.'

'The traitor!' exclaimed Barizy of the Tower. 'Well, if people will
purchase crucifixes and nothing else, they must be supplied. Commerce
civilises man.'

'Who is this?' exclaimed the Consul Pasqualigo.

A couple of horsemen, well mounted, but travel-worn, and followed by a
guard of Bedouins, were coming up the Via Dolorosa, and stopped at the
house of Hassan Nejid.

''Tis the English prince,' said Barizy of the Tower. 'He has been absent
six months; he has been in Egypt.'

'To see the temples of the fire-worshippers, and to shoot crocodiles.
They all do that,' said the Consul Pasqualigo.

'How glad he must be to get back to Jerusalem,' said Barizy of the
Tower. 'There may be larger cities, but there are certainly none so
beautiful.'

'The most beautiful city in the world is the city of Venice,' said
Pasqualigo.

'You have never been there,' said Barizy.

'But it was built principally by my ancestors,' said the Consul, 'and I
have a print of it in my hall.'

'I never heard that Venice was comparable to Jerusalem,' said Barizy.

'Jerusalem is, in every respect, an abode fit for swine, compared with
Venice,' said Pasqualigo.

'I would have you to know, Monsieur Pasqualigo, who call yourself
consul, that the city of Jerusalem is not only the city of God, but has
ever been the delight and pride of man.'

'Pish!' said Pasqualigo.

'Poh!' said Barizy.

'I am not at all surprised that Besso got out of it as soon as he
possibly could.'

'You would not dare to say these things in his presence,' said Barizy.

'Who says "dare" to the representative of a European Power!'

'I say "dare" to the son of the janissary of the Austrian Vice-Consul at
Sidon.'

'You will hear more of this,' said Pasqualigo, fiercely. 'I shall make a
representation to the Inter-nonce at Stamboul.'

'You had better g