Page:Kéraban the Inflexible Part 1 (Jules Verne).djvu/89

Rh "Amasia! Ahmet!" he cried.

This was Selim the banker, the father of Amasia and the correspondent of Kéraban.

"Daughter—Ahmet! Where are you?"

"Father, what is the matter?" exclaimed Amasia. "Why have you returned so quickly?"

"I have important news."

"Good news?" asked Ahmet.

"Excellent," replied Selim. "An express sent by Kéraban has just reached me."

"Really!" exclaimed Nedjeb.

"A special messenger, who has advised me of Kéraban's speedy arrival. He was not far in advance of your uncle."

"Uncle Kéraban! Do you mean that he has left Constantinople?" cried Ahmet.

"Yes, and I am expecting him here."

Fortunately for the captain of the Guidare, no one perceived the angry gestures with which he received this intelligence. The sudden arrival of Ahmet's uncle was a contingency which would seriously interfere with the accomplishment of the worthy captain's designs.

"Ah! Seigneur Kéraban is good," exclaimed Nedjeb.

"But why is he coming?" asked Amasia.

"For your marriage, my dear young lady," replied the attendant. "What other object could bring him to Odessa?"

"That must be the reason," said Selim.

"I think so too," said Ahmet. "Else why need he have quitted Constantinople? He must be enchanted. Fancy my worthy uncle leaving his business suddenly without any previous intimation of his intention. He wishes to surprise us."

"He will be well received and gladly welcomed," said Nedjeb.

"Did not his messenger tell you the reason for his coming?" inquired Amasia of her father.

"No, nothing whatever," replied Selim. "The man had ridden post from Majaki, where Kéraban's carriage was changing horses. He came to the banking-house and merely announced the immediate arrival of Kéraban at