"Christian," said Ibrahim, as he rose to obey this mandate, "wilt thou pledge me thy word, as a noble and a knight, not to attempt to escape from this tent?" "I pledge my word," answered Francisco, "seeing that thou thyself art so generous to me." Ibrahim then went forth; but he paused for a few moments outside the tent to command his slaves to serve up choice refreshments to the prisoner. He then hastened to the pavilion of the sultan, whom he found seated upon a throne, surrounded by the beglerbegs, the councilors of state, the viziers, the lieutenant-generals of the army, and all the high dignitaries who had accompanied him on his expedition. Ibrahim advanced and prostrated himself at the foot of his throne; and at the same moment two of the high functionaries present threw a caftan of honor over his shoulders--a ceremony which signified that the sultan had conferred upon him the title of beglerbeg, or "prince of princes." "Rise, Ibrahim Pasha!" exclaimed Solyman, "and take thy place in our councils, for Allah and his prophet have this day made thee their instrument to save the life of thy sovereign." The newly-created pasha touched the imperial slipper with his lips, and then rising from his prostrate position, received the congratulations of the high functionaries assembled. Thus it was that in a few months, protected by that secret influence which was hurrying him so rapidly along in his ambitious career, the Italian apostate attained to a high rank in the Ottoman Empire; but he was yet to reach the highest, next to that of the sovereign, ere he could hope to receive the fair hand of his mysterious patroness as the crowning joy of his prosperity, for her image, her charming image, ever dwelt in his mind, and an ardent fancy often depicted her as she appeared, in all the splendor of her beauty, reclining on the sofa at the dwelling to which he had been conducted with so much precaution, as detailed in a preceding chapter. On the following day peace was formally concluded between the Ottomans and the knights of Rhodes, the latter consenting to surrender the island to the formidable invaders. An exchange of prisoners was the result, and Francisco, Count of Riverola, again found himself free within twenty-four hours after his capture. "Your lordship is now about to sail for your own clime," said Ibrahim, when the moment of separation came. "Is there aught within my power that I can do to testify my friendship for one so brave and chivalrous as thou art?" "Nothing, great pasha!" exclaimed Francisco, who felt his sympathy irresistibly attracted toward Ibrahim, he knew not why, "but, on the other hand, receive my heartfelt thanks for the kindness which I have experienced during the few hours I have been thy guest."