athing-time before entering on the final act of the play."

CHAPTER TEN.

SHOWS WHAT LESSONS WERE TAUGHT IN THE BAGNIO, AND DESCRIBES A BRAVE DASH
FOR FREEDOM.

Bacri, the chief of the Jews, proved as good as his word.

By means of a golden lever he moved some one, who moved some one else,
who moved the Dey to make certain inquiries about the slaves in the
Bagnio, which resulted in his making the discovery that Lucien Rimini
was a first-rate linguist and an excellent scribe.

Immediately he was commanded to fill the office of scrivano to the Dey--
that post being vacant in consequence of the previous secretary having
given his master some offence, for which he had had his head cut off.

But Lucien's elevation did not necessarily improve the condition of his
father and brother. The Dey cared only for those slaves who made
themselves useful to him; their relations he utterly ignored, unless
they succeeded in gaining his regard. The Sicilians had too much
common-sense to expect any great immediate advantage from the change,
nevertheless, the slight hope which had been aroused by this event
enabled the two who were left in the Bagnio to endure their lot with
greater fortitude and resignation. As for Lucien, he resolved to win
the Dey's esteem in order to be able to influence him in favour of his
father and brother.

"We must learn to submit, my son," said Francisco, one evening, while he
and Mariano were finishing the last crumbs of the black bread which
constituted their morning and evening meals.

"I admit it, father," said Mariano, with a long-drawn sigh. "Bacri was
right; but it's not easy to bear. For myself, I think I could stand
their insults and their lash better if they would only spare you, but
when I see the villains strike you as they did to-day--oh, father!"--
Mariano flushed and clenched his hands--"it makes me so wild that I feel
as though the blood would burst my veins. You cannot wonder that I find
it impossible to submit."

"God bless you, boy," said Francisco, laying his hand on the youth's
shoulder; "I understand your feelings--nevertheless it were well that
you learned to restrain them, for rebellion only works evil. You saw
what was the consequence of your attacking the man who struck me
to-day--you got knocked down and bastinadoed, and I--"

Francisco paused.

"Yes, go on, father, I know what you mean."

"Well, I would not hurt your feelings by mentioning it--as you say, you