ry city in the Empire is an epitome of Yildiz Kiosk. And your
_kaimkams_, and _valis_, and _viziers_, have all been taught in the
same Text-Book, at the same Political School, and by the same
Professor. Let Khalid rest, therefore and ponder these matters in
silence. For in the City Hall and during the month he passes in the
prison of Damascus, we are told, he does not utter a word. His
partisans in prison ask to be taught his creed, and among these are
some Mohammadans: "We'll burn the priests and their church yet and
follow you. By our Prophet Mohammad we will ..." Khalid makes no
reply. Even Shakib, when he comes to visit him, finds him dumb as a
stone, slain by adversity and disease. Nothing can be done now. The
giant excommunicated, incommunicative soul, struggling in a prison of
sore flesh, we must leave, alas, with his friends and partisans to
pass his thirty days and nights in the second prison of stone.

Now, let us return to the Jesuits, who, having worsted Khalid, or the
Devil in Khalid, as they charitably put it, will also endeavour to do
somewhat in the interest of his intended bride. For the Padres, in
addition to their many crafts and trades, are matrimonial brokers of
honourable repute. And in their meddling and making, their baiting and
mating, they are as serviceable as the Column Personal of an American
newspaper. Whoso is matrimonially disposed shall whisper his mind at
the Confessional or drop his advertisement in the pocket of the
visiting Columns of their Bride-Dealer, and he shall prosper. She as
well as he shall prosper.

Now, Father Farouche is commissioned to come all the way from Zahleh
to visit the brother of Abu-Khalid their porter, and bespeak him in
the interest of his daughter. All their faculties of persuasion shall
be exerted in behalf of Najma. She must be saved at any cost. Hence
they volunteer their services. And while Khalid is lingering in prison
at Damascus, they avail themselves of the opportunity to further the
suit of their pickle-herring candidate for Najma's love.

The Reverend Farouche, therefore, holds a secret conference with her
father.

"No," says he, "God would never have forgiven you for giving your
daughter to one utterly destitute of morality, religion, money, and
health. But praise Allah! the Church has come to her rescue. She shall
be saved, wrested from the hands of Iblis. Yes, Holy Church, through
us, will guide her to find a god-fearing life-companion; one w