the bride in
English and French, but as Zara knew neither of these languages, she
shook her head, smiled, and returned some compliments in Turkish;
whereupon Mrs Langley shook her head and smiled. The rest of the
company, from infection probably, nodded to each other also, and smiled.
Two or three pretty young and rather stout girls turned aside, and went
the length of giggling.

Fortunately at this point an interpreter was brought forward in the
person of an Italian slave, a good-looking middle-aged lady, who
understood French, and who, during a servitude of ten years, had also
acquired Turkish.

Compliments were now bandied to and fro with great volubility, without
any introductory references to weather, and much notice was taken of
little Agnes, whose appearance was the cause of some good-natured
criticism among the Algerine belles. As the costume of these latter,--
with much variety in colour and detail,--bore strong general resemblance
to that of the bride of Rais Ali, it is not necessary to describe it
more minutely.

Coffee and sweetmeats were now served, the former in exquisitely
delicate porcelain cups, so small that they might have been easily
mistaken for part of a doll's establishment. They had neither handles
nor saucers, and were prevented from burning the fingers by being
inserted into what we may style egg-cups of beautiful gold and silver
filigree. The coffee was too thick to suit the European palate, being
ground in a fashion peculiar to the Moors. It was also too sweet.

There was present a younger sister of the bride, who had not only a
tendency, but had already attained in an unusual degree, to the
possession of _embonpoint_ and was appropriately named Fatma. She wore
the salma, a dazzling little golden cap, in token of being still
unmarried. She seemed much captivated with little Agnes. No wonder,
for, in the simplicity of a pure white dress, and with her fair curls
streaming down her cheeks, unadorned save by one little blush rose, she
looked like an ethereal spirit dropped into the midst of the garish
party.

Fatma got up suddenly and whispered to her mother.

"My little girl," said the Moorish lady, through the interpreter,
"thinks your daughter would look _so_ pretty in our costume."

"I have no doubt she would," replied Mrs Langley, glancing with some
pride at Agnes.

"She asks if you will allow her to be dressed just now in the Moorish
fashion."

"If there is sufficient