Demetrius--such was the young Greek's name--was seated in a small and meanly furnished apartment, in a desponding manner, and scarcely appearing to notice the efforts which his sister, a beautiful maiden of nineteen, was exerting to console him, when the door opened, and a man dressed as a water-carrier entered the room. The young Greek started up angrily, for he thought the visitor was one of the numerous petty creditors to whom he was indebted, and whose demands he was unable to liquidate; but the second glance which he cast, by the light of the lamp that burnt feebly on the table, toward the countenance of the meanly dressed individual, convinced him of his mistake. "His highness the grand vizier!" ejaculated Demetrius, falling on his knees; "Calanthe!" he added, speaking rapidly to his sister, "bow down to the representative of the sultan!" But Ibrahim hastened to put an end to this ceremony, and assured the brother and sister that he came thither as a friend. "A friend!" repeated Demetrius, as if doubting whether his ears heard aright; "is it possible that Heaven has indeed sent me a friend in one who has the power to raise me and this poor suffering maiden from the depths of our bitter, bitter poverty?" "Dost thou suppose that my rapid elevation has rendered me unmindful of former friendships?" demanded Ibrahim; although, had he not his own purposes to serve, he would never have thought of seeking the abode, nor inquiring after the welfare of the humble acquaintance of his obscure days. The young Greek knew not, however, the thorough selfishness of the renegade's character; and he poured forth his gratitude for the vizier's kindness and condescension with the most sincere and heart-felt fervor: while the beauteous Calanthe's large dark eyes swam in tears of hope and joy, as she surveyed with mingled wonder and admiration the countenance of that high functionary whose rapid rise to power had electrified the Ottoman capital, and whom she now saw for the first time.