She had lately been added to their number, and already they were gossiping that she was an English girl who found herself penniless in the country, and was willing to become the wife of some rich man. The old trader seemed to know he had secured a prize in this girl, for the price he demanded for her was so high that several visitors who had been attracted by her and were willing to pay unusually well to secure her, were compelled to content themselves with others, although they all relinquished the hope of purchasing her with expressions of regret. Finally a man of dignified bearing and polished appearance came sauntering into the room and paused, glancing around in a careless manner. The moment the old trader saw this man he hastened to him, rubbing his hands and bowing very low. “Welcome, most noble Pasha!” he exclaimed. “I am sure I shall this night have the pleasure of beholding thy pleasure. Never before has any man brought to Damascus such a collection of feminine loveliness. Verily they are pearls beyond price.” “So I have heard, Bilmah,” was the answer. “Already I have met two who have looked on your pearls, and they informed me that you had here one that was almost priceless in your estimation. My curiosity has been greatly aroused. I would look on this English maiden.” “Oh, there are others equally beautiful,” the trader hastened to declare—“many others. Look, yonder is a fair Circassian. I bought her from her father, and paid him——” “Never mind her. I am not looking for a Circassian. They weary me. I have traveled in the West, and the women of those lands interest me. I would see the English maiden.” “But first thou shouldst see——” “Not another one, old man! Show me the one I wish to see.” “But, great Pasha, it was understood between us that I should bring thither for thee the fairest Circassian I could discover——” The visitor cut the old man short. “You are wasting my time, old man. Unless you show me at once the English maiden I will depart.” The trader made a gesture of resignation. “Come!” he said. The visitor followed him until they paused before the divan on which sat the girl who had attracted so much attention and admiration. “Behold her!” said Bilmah. The girl glanced up shyly over her outspread fan, giving the Turk a sidelong glance from her fine, black eyes, in the depths of which there was a strange light that fascinated him. Hafsa Pasha bowed very low, his hand on his heart. “So this is the one whose charms I heard extolled ere I crossed the threshold of this house?” he said. “You are English, they tell me. It is most astonishing to find an English girl here.” “I suppose it is,” she answered, in a very low voice that was full of strange music and gave him a decided thrill. He sat on the floor at her feet, rolling a cigarette. “Tell me how it happens that you are here,” he urged. “I cannot,” she answered, in apparent great confusion. “It is a tale of misfortune. Speak of something else.”