wooden balconies and projecting windows, absolutely encrusted with dust, near one of which the horses kicked a poor Arab off his donkey; but whether he was killed or not I know not, as the carriage dashed along at a most terrific rate. Soon afterwards we entered the gates of the Harem in the citadel, the residence of Her Highness the Validè Princess, the Viceroy's mother.

There we were received by seven eunuchs, who conducted us through a small stone hall covered with matting, which led into a marblepaved walk, open on the side facing the gardens. It was covered with a verandah which formed the winter promenade, at the extremity of which we were ushered into a large stone hall also covered with matting, and having divans ranged around it. Then we passed up four steps covered with matting, and entered a large uncarpeted apartment, containing no other furniture than a divan covered with faded straw-coloured satin, ranged under the three large windows overlooking the lovely, well-kept gardens. After this we descended some steps, and entered into another uncarpeted

room on the right-hand side, quite destitute of furniture. All presented the picture of misery and discomfort; all looked most disconsolate and empty; just such rooms as you would imagine the widow of a usurer, who, by discounting bills, exacting most exorbitant rates of interest, and thoroughly understanding the art of buying and selling rupees, would delight to occupy.

A divan was ranged underneath the windows; but seated on a cushion on the floor was a lady dressed in Turkish costume, whom I immediately recognised as a European, and when her history was subsequently told to me in Italy, near Pistoja, by a gentleman who knew her, and who is related to the Messrs. H.'s family, it brought to my recollection those Europeans whom I had passed at Tantah, looking out of His Highness the Viceroy's private despatch-train; and I could not help wondering to myself how many more European women were "caged up" in the chambers of H. H. the Baba's other Harems situated on the banks of the Upper Nile. I learned that she was a Belgian, that her name was Caroline, and

that she was the mother of the illegitimate sons of H.H. the Viceroy; and it is not improbable but that the Princess, whose death I have narrated, was also her daughter.

She was a very handsome woman, rather stout, and between thirty and forty years of age, and dressed in black, à la Turque, but unveiled, as all are when within the Harem. When we entered she was smoking a Tchibouk. She rose off the divan, took the Prince by the hand, placed him by her side, kissed him, bowed to me, then clapped her hands, and handed H.H. the Grand Pacha over to the slave, who had responded to her call, to carry him about. Then we all proceeded up the broad staircase, which was covered with matting, at the top of which, on the landing, as it were, we found several of their little Highnesses, his sisters, who had preceded us, in charge of the eunuchs, sitting down (squatting would be the most correct expression) awaiting his arrival, close to the door of the chamber of H.H. the Validè PrinShe was a Princess by birth, the mother of H.H. Ismael Pacha, the widow of the gallant yet avaricious Ibrahim Pacha, and who, by some

cess.

THE SULTAN'S MOTHER.

23

deep researches into the genealogical records of the sultanas of Turkey, has lately discovered that she is closely related to the Validè Sultana, the mother of His Majesty Abdul Aziz, the present Sultan.

CHAPTER II.

HER Highness, who takes precedence of all the wives, who stand in awe of her, had not yet risen from her downy couch, and so there the young Princesses waited like a band of slaves until their imperious grandmother had finished her toilette, as she never would receive them in her chamber. Why or wherefore I know not. Perhaps there were other visitors there, whom it did not suit the Validè Princess to allow her granddaughters to see; perhaps her Grand Eunuch, a shrewd, cunning, crafty individual, who was a very sinister looking personage, but who appeared thoroughly to understand the ways of his Viceregal mistress, was closeted with Her Highness, communing with her on affairs of state, or private matters. At all events there I found them squatting down at the door-sill.