"Upon what?"
"The life of the Sultan, thy father."
"Speak not in riddles, O Prince."
"Upon his death, thou wilt enter on the sovereignty."
"Still I see not clearly."
"With the horoscope of Mahommed the Sultan in my hand, then certainly as the stars perform their circuits, being set thereunto from the first morning, they must respond to me; and then, find I Mars in the Ascendant, well dignified essentially and accidentally, I can lead my Lord out of the darkness."
"Then, Prince?"
"He may see the Christian capital at his mercy."
"But if Mars be not in the Ascendant?"
"My Lord must wait."
Mahommed sprang to his feet, gnashing his teeth.
"My Lord," said the Prince, calmly, "a man"s destiny is never unalterable; it is like a pitcher filled with wine which he is carrying to his lips--it may be broken on the way, and its contents spilled. Such has often happened through impatience and pride. What is waiting but the wise man"s hour of preparation?"
The quiet manner helped the sound philosophy. Mahommed took seat, remarking, "You remind me, Prince, of the saying of the Koran, "Whatsoever good betideth thee, O man, it is from G.o.d, and whatsoever evil betideth, from thyself is it." I am satisfied. Only"--
The Prince summoned all his faculties again.
"Only I see two periods of waiting before me; one from this until I take up the sovereignty; the other thence till thou bringest me the mandate of the stars. I fear not the second period, for, as thou sayest, I can then lose myself in making ready; but the first, the meantime--ah, Prince, speak of it. Tell me how I can find surcease of the chafing of my spirit."
The comprehension of the wily Hebrew did not fail him. His heart beat violently. He was master! Once more he was in position to change the world. A word though not more than "now," and he could marshal the East, which he so loved, against the West, which he so hated. If Constantinople failed him, Christianity must yield its seat to Islam. He saw it all flash-like; yet at no time in the interview did his face betoken such placidity of feeling. The _meantime_ was his, not Mahommed"s--his to lengthen or shorten--his for preparation. He could afford to be placid.
"There is much for my Lord to do," he said.
"When, O Prince--now?"
"It is for him to think and act as if Constantinople were his capital temporarily in possession of another."
The words caught attention, and it is hard saying what Mahommed"s countenance betokened. The reader must think of him as of a listener just awakened to a new idea of infinite personal concern.
"It is for him now to learn the city within and without," the Jew proceeded; "its streets and edifices; its halls and walls; its strong and weak places; its inhabitants, commerce, foreign relations; the character of its ruler, his resources and policies; its daily events; its cliques and clubs, and religious factions; especially is it for him to foment the differences Latin and Greek."
It is questionable if any of the things imparted had been so effective upon Mahommed as this one. Not only did his last doubt of the man talking disappear; it excited a boundless admiration for him, and the freshest novitiate in human nature knows how almost impossible it is to refuse trust when once we have been brought to admire. "Oh!" Mahommed cried. "A pastime, a pastime, if I could be there!"
"Nay, my Lord," said the insidious counsellor, with a smile, "how do kings manage to be everywhere at the same time?"
"They have their Amba.s.sadors. But I am not a king."
"Not yet a king"--the speaker laid stress upon the adverb--"nevertheless public representation is one thing; secret agency another."
Mahommed"s voice sank almost to a whisper.
"Wilt thou accept this agency?"
"It is for me to observe the heavens at night, while calculations will take my days. I trust my Lord in his wisdom will excuse me."
"Where is one for the service? Name him, Prince--one as good."
"There is one better. Bethink you, my Lord, the business is of a long time; it may run through years."
Mahommed"s brow knit darkly at the reminder.
"And he who undertakes it should enter Constantinople and live there above suspicion. He must be crafty, intelligent, courtly in manner, accomplished in arms, of high rank, and with means to carry his state bravely, for not only ought he to be conspicuous in the Hippodrome; he should be welcome in the palace. Along with other facilities, he must be provided to buy service in the Emperor"s bedroom and council chamber-- nay, at his elbow. It is of prime importance that he possesses my Lord"s confidence unalterably. Am I understood?"
"The man, Prince, the man!"
"My Lord has already named him."
"I?"
"Only to-night my Lord spoke of him as a marvel."
"Mirza!" exclaimed Mahommed, clapping his hands.
"Mirza," the Prince returned, and proceeded without pause: "Despatch him to Italy; then let him appear in Constantinople, embarked from a galley, habited like a Roman, and with a suitable Italian t.i.tle. He speaks Italian already, is fixed in his religion, and in knightly honor. Not all the gifts at the despot"s disposal, nor the blandishments of society can shake his allegiance--he worships my Lord."
"My servant has found much favor with you, O Prince?"
Accepting the remark as a question, the other answered:
"Did I not spend the night with him at El Zaribah? Was I not witness of his trial of faith at the Holy Kaaba? Have I not heard from my Lord himself how, when put to choice, he ignored my prohibition respecting the stars?"
Mahommed arose, and again walked to and fro.
"There is a trouble in this proposal, Prince," he said, halting abruptly.
"So has Mirza become a part of me, I am scarcely myself without him."
Another turn across the floor, and he seemed to become reconciled. "Let us have done for to-night," he next said. "The game is imperative, but it will not be harmed by a full discussion. Stay with me to-morrow, Prince."
The Prince remembered the Emperor. Not unlikely a message from that high personage was at his house, received in course of the day.
"True, very true, and the invitation is a great honor to me," he replied, bowing; "but I am reminded that the gossips in Byzantium will feast each other when to-morrow it pa.s.ses from court to bazaar how the Princess Irene and the Prince of India were driven by the storm to accept hospitality in the White Castle. And if it get abroad, that Mahommed, son of the great Amurath, came also to the Castle, who may foretell the suspicions to hatch in the city? No, my Lord, I submit it is better for me to depart with the Princess at the subsidence of the waters."
"Be it so," Mahommed returned, cordially. "We understand each other. I am to wait and you to communicate with me; and now, morning comes apace, good night."
He held his hand to the Jew; whereat the latter knelt and kissed the hand, but retained it to say:
"My Lord, if I know him rightly, will not sleep to-night; thought is an enemy to sleep; and besides the inspiration there is in the destiny promised, its achievement lies all before him. Yet I wish to leave behind me one further topic, promising it is as much greater than any other as the Heavens are higher than the earth."
"Rise, Prince," said Mahommed, helping him to his feet. "Such ceremonious salutation whether in reception or at departure may be dispensed with hereafter; thou art not a stranger, but more than a guest. I count thee my friend whom everything shall wait upon--even myself. Speak now of what thou callest the greater scheme. I am most curious."