“I did not tell you, wife,” he went on, turning to her, “that the reason why he bearded Hassan today was because the corsair brutally struck a little female captive; thus, you see, he, at the risk of his life, and when himself a captive, carried out his vows to protect the defenceless.  And now, wife, there is one thing you must know.  For some time, at any rate, you must abandon the idea of exciting the envy of your friends by exhibiting your Christian captive to them.  As you are aware, the sultan has the choice of any one slave he may select from each batch brought in, and assuredly he would choose this one, did it come to his ears, or to the ears of one of his officers, that a Christian knight had been landed.  For this reason Hassan sold him to me for a less sum than he would otherwise have demanded, and we must for some time keep his presence here a secret.  My idea is that he shall remain indoors until we move next week into our country house, where he will be comparatively free from observation.”

“Certainly, Isaac.  I would not on any account that he should be handed over to the sultan, for he would either be put into the galleys or have to labour in the streets.”

“I will tell Muley to order the other slaves to say nothing outside of the fresh arrival, so for the present there is no fear of its being talked about in the town.  Hassan will, for his own sake, keep silent on the matter.  I have not yet asked your name,” he went on, turning to Gervaise.

“My name is Gervaise Tresham; but it will be easier for you to call me by my first name only.”

“Then, Gervaise, it were well that you retired to rest at once, for I am sure that you sorely need it.”  He touched a bell on the table, and told Muley, when he appeared, to conduct Gervaise to the place where he was to sleep, which was, he had already ordered, apart from the quarters of the other slaves.

“The young fellow is a mass of bruises,” Ben Ibyn said to his wife, when the door closed behind Gervaise.  “Hassan beat him so savagely, after they had overpowered and bound him, that he well nigh killed him.”

An exclamation of indignation burst from the wife and daughters.

“Muley has seen to his wounds,” he went on, “and he will doubtless be cured in a few days.  And now, wife, that your wish is gratified, and I have purchased a Christian slave for you, may I ask what you are going to do with him?”

“I am sure I do not know,” she said in a tone of perplexity.  “I had thought of having him to hand round coffee when my friends call, and perhaps to work in the garden, but I did not think that he would be anything like this.”