"
"I grant his request," said the king.
Mustapha immediately opened the pouch which hung at his side, and
took from it a crystal flask, from which he poured a fluid into the
cup, and a delightful perfume immediately pervaded the room. After
putting a small quantity of white powder into the cup, he proceeded
to stir the contents with a brush, of which the handle was
ornamented with three diamonds of immense size. The fluid now arose
into a sparkling milk-white foam.
The king looked curiously at him at first, and then turned to his
ambassador. "What does this mean?" he asked in German, probably
because he did not wish to be understood by the interpreter.
"Sire, "said Rexin, smiling, "that means that the noble Mustapha Aga
wishes to show you the greatest honor in his power, he wishes to
shave you."
"To shave me!" exclaimed the king. "Who and what is the noble
Mustapha Aga?"
"Sire, he is one of the greatest dignitaries of Tartary; he is the
barber of the Khan!"
The king could scarcely restrain a smile at this explanation.
"Well," he said, "it is not a bad idea to make a diplomat and
ambassador of a barber. The gentlemen of the diplomatic corps are
given to shaving in politics and frequently put soap in the eyes of
the world.
Pages:
941
942
943
944
945
946
947
948
949
950
951
952
953
954
955
956
957
958
959
960
961
962
963
964
965