_Pasha_.—The Englishman is welcome; most blessed among hours is this, the hour of his coming.
_Dragoman_ (to the traveller).—The Pasha pays you his compliments.
_Traveller_.—Give him my best compliments in return, and say I’m delighted to have the honour of seeing him.
_Dragoman_ (to the Pasha).—His lordship, this Englishman, Lord of London, Scorner of Ireland, Suppressor of France, has quitted his governments, and left his enemies to breathe for a moment, and has crossed the broad waters in strict disguise, with a small but eternally faithful retinue of followers, in order that he might look upon the bright countenance of the Pasha among Pashas—the Pasha of the everlasting Pashalik of Karagholookoldour.
_Traveller_ (to his dragoman).—What on earth have you been saying about London? The Pasha will be taking me for a mere cockney. Have not I told you _always_ to say that I am from a branch of the family of Mudcombe Park, and that I am to be a magistrate for the county of Bedfordshire, only I’ve not qualified, and that I should have been a deputy-lieutenant if it had not been for the extraordinary conduct of Lord Mountpromise, and that I was a candidate for Goldborough at the last election, and that I should have won easy if my committee had not been bought. I wish to Heaven that if you _do_ say anything about me, you’d tell the simple truth.
_Pasha_.—What says the friendly Lord of London? is there aught that I can grant him within the Pashalik of Karagholookoldour?
_Dragoman_ (growing sulky and literal).—This friendly Englishman—this branch of Mudcombe—this head-purveyor of Goldborough—this possible policeman of Bedfordshire, is recounting his achievements, and the number of his titles.
_Pasha_.—The end of his honours is more distant than the ends of the earth, and the catalogue of his glorious deeds is brighter than the firmament of heaven!
_Dragoman_ (to the traveller).—The Pasha congratulates your Excellency.
_Traveller_.—About Goldborough? The deuce he does!—but I want to get at his views in relation to the present state of the Ottoman Empire. Tell him the Houses of Parliament have met, and that there has been a speech from the throne, pledging England to preserve the integrity of the Sultan’s dominions.