Each of them took one, which Ali lighted and then retired to prepare the coffee.

There was a moment's silence, during which Sinbad gave himself up to thoughts that seemed to occupy him incessantly, even in the midst of his conversation; and Franz abandoned himself to that mute revery, into which we always sink when smoking excellent tobacco, which seems to remove with its fume all the troubles of the mind, and to give the smoker in exchange all the visions of the soul.

Ali brought in the coffee.

"How do you take it ?" inquired the unknown; "in the French or Turkish style, strong or weak, sugar or none, cool or boiling?
As you please; it is ready in all ways." "I will take it in the Turkish style," replied Franz.
"And you are right," said his host; "it shows you have a tendency for an Oriental life.

Ah, those Orientals; they are the only men who know how to live.