Egypt -- History -- Mohammed Ali, 1805-1849 -- Fiction; Muhammad Ali Basha, Governor of Egypt, 1769-1849 -- Fiction
But he detects nothing in that tranquil face; ambition sleeps, the
love of glory is dead within him. This is Lion's opinion, and the
opinion of all. But it is not the opinion of Osman, who understands
him best. He has sometimes seen Mohammed's face lighten when the
conversation was of the struggles going on in Egypt, or when the
Turkish fleet was spoken of that had gone over to chastise the
rebellious Mameluke beys! He had seen a deathly pallor overspread
Mohammed's face when on a recent occasion a merchant, who came from
Stamboul, reported that the grand-vizier had sent a great pacha to
Egypt, one who had been banished, the now so mighty Cousrouf Pacha,
the favorite of the grand-admiral. Yes, Osman had observed his
change of countenance at the mention of this name, and that he
secretly clinched his fists and grasped the hilt of his dagger; and
he alone knew that, though Mohammed's wrath found no utterance, it
still lived within him.
Mohammed had suddenly turned away on this occasion, on some
suddenly-conceived pretext, and had not been seen again that day.
He had gone alone to the summit of the rock, and Osman alone knew
that the dark speck which he saw on the crest of Bucephalus was the
figure of his friend who had sought this solitude for the purpose,
perhaps, of easing his heart of its anguish and to enjoy the holy
festival of remembrance, up there alone with God and Nature!
CHAPTER III
THE BIM BASHI.
Mohammed's countenance was graver and paler than usual when he came
down from Bucephalus. But it seemed that his heart had there
received milder and softer impressions. He spoke to his wife in more
gentle and cordial tones; and instead of repairing, as was his
custom, to a coffee-house, where merchants assembled and exchanged
their views and opinions, smoked the chibouque together, and
discussed the news received from foreign countries, he remained at
home in the family circle. At his request, Osman had come to pass
the evening with them, for Mohammed well knew that this was the
young man's only happiness. These ten years did not benefit Osman's
health; he was still the withered stalk that bows its head, but is
not torn down by the wind, but only swayed to and fro by it at its
pleasure.
Yes, Osman was weak, and firm and constant in one thing only, in his
love for his friend.
With him this feeling took the place of all else; Mohammed was to
Osman what the latter was to his father--his only joy in life! And
for these two Osman sustained himself, bore his ill health and
suffering, and let the sunlight shine upon, and the storms of life
sweep over him.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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