onventional as
they call it, is far more reverent. There is no one left to practise
it, nowadays, except myself, and here and there a religious in the
monasteries."

Yet, for all the old man's moan, there seemed no lack of business; and
Iskender wished that he had half the money which he saw paid into his
master's hand. Monks and nuns and priests, and even prelates, found
their way to the cell of the painter; and Iskender's work was highly
thought of by such visitors. The old man was laughingly told to look
to his laurels, for the young one at his side had almost Frankish
talent.

"Heed them not, O my soul!" said Abu Yusuf. "They speak as fools who
know not. That the Frankish way has merits, all must allow; but ours,
I do maintain, is more devotional. Let it be one thing or the other;
that is all I ask. And I would have thee purge thy style, once and for
all, of just those lifelike touches which these fools admire."

Iskender, of sheer laziness, was content to humour the old man; and
soon acquired such skill in practice that he could have wrought with
his eyes shut, as the Sheykh Abu Yusuf virtually did, for he was almost
blind. Every morning, before setting to work, he hastened to the
Church of the Resurrection and said a prayer there, kneeling at the
tomb of Christ, ere studying the paintings which adorn its dim old
walls. At the end of a year and a half his work was in greater demand
than that of his master. The latter, recognising that his hand was
failing and his sight would soon be gone, offered to sell him the
business. But Iskender had no money for the purchase. He consented,
however, to a scheme of partnership; and, proud of his achievements,
sent a letter to the priest Mitri, announcing his return to claim his
bride. After four days came the priest's reply, to the effect that
preparations were being made for the wedding; upon receipt of which
Iskender set forth on his journey, mounted upon an ass, and accompanied
by two wealthy Christian merchants of El Cuds, new friends of his, who
valued his acquaintance. Their escort won him standing in his native
town.

CHAPTER XXXI

The bridal was attended with festivities. The little Christian village
re-echoed with the ululation of the crowd of women forming the bride's
procession, as they paraded their joy among the hovels before going to
the church. And when, after the ceremony, the train came forth, carrying
Nesibeh to a house not her fat