At his voice, vice plunged into its most shameless diversions, and the wine-steeped wings of debauchery outspread themselves over the feast.

All tongues were at their freest, all imaginations ran wild, all evil passions were at their height, when suddenly the noise ceased, and the guests clung together in terror.

A man stood at the entrance of the hall, pale, disordered, and wild-eyed, clothed in torn and blood-stained garments.

As everyone made way at his approach, he easily reached the pacha, and prostrating himself at his feet, presented a letter.

Ali opened and rapidly perused it; his lips trembled, his eyebrows met in a terrible frown, the muscles of his forehead contracted alarmingly.