to fly from his country. The two new dignitaries, having secured
Khalid Effendi as a partisan, resolved to profit by his influence to
carry out their plans of vengeance on the Tepelenian family. The news of
Pacho Bey's promotion roused Ali from the security in which he was
plunged, and he fell a prey to the most lively anxiety. Comprehending at
once the evil which this man,--trained in his own school, might cause
him, he exclaimed, "Ah! if Heaven would only restore me the strength of
my youth, I would plunge my sword into his heart even in the midst of the
Divan."

It was not long before Ali's enemies found an extremely suitable
opportunity for opening their attack. Veli Pacha, who had for his own
profit increased the Thessalian taxation fivefold, had in doing so caused
so much oppression that many of the inhabitants preferred the griefs and
dangers of emigration rather than remain under so tyrannical a rule. A
great number of Greeks sought refuge at Odessa, and the great Turkish
families assembled round Pacho Bey and Abdi Effendi at Constantinople,
who lost no opportunity of interceding in their favour. The sultan, who
as yet did not dare to act openly against the Tepelenian family, was at
least able to relegate Veli to the obscure post of Lepanto, and Veli,
much disgusted, was obliged to obey. He quitted the new palace he had
just built at Rapehani, and betook himself to the place of exile,
accompanied by actors, Bohemian dancers, bear leaders, and a crowd of
prostitutes.

Thus attacked in the person of his most powerful son, Ali thought to
terrify his enemies by a daring blow. He sent three Albanians to
Constantinople to assassinate Pacho Bey. They fell upon him as he was
proceeding to the Mosque of Saint-Sophia, on the day on which the sultan
also went in order to be present at the Friday ceremonial prayer, and
fired several shots at him. He was wounded, but not mortally.

The assassins, caught red-handed, were hung at the gate of the Imperial
Seraglio, but not before confessing that they were sent by the Pacha of
Janina. The Divan, comprehending at last that so dangerous a man must be
dealt with at any cost, recapitulated all Ali's crimes, and pronounced a
sentence against him which was confirmed by a decree of the Grand Mufti.
It set forth that Ali Tepelen, having many times obtained pardon for his
crimes, was now guilty of high treason in the first degree, and that he
would, as recalcitrant, be placed