Ali, having wrung such important concessions from the weakness of his neighbour, desired to obtain yet more.

But closely allied to Ibrahim were two persons gifted with great firmness of character and unusual ability, whose position gave them great influence.

They were his wife Zaidee, and his brother Sepher, who had been in command during the war just terminated.

As both were inimical to Ali, who could not hope to corrupt them, he latter resolved to get rid of them.
Having in the days of his youth been intimate with Kurd Pacha, Ali had endeavoured to seduce his daughter, already the wife of Ibrahim.

Being discovered by the latter in the act of scaling the wall of his harem, he had been obliged to fly the country.