"I will advise you a little. Save your compliments until you can say
them to my aunt. I never carry a word to any one."

"Then take me with you, and I will repeat them to her face."

"So? Well, then, here we are, at her very door. I know not what she will
say--you must make your own excuses, sir."

As she was speaking, they ascended the white steps leading to a very
handsome brick house on the west side of Broadway. It had wide iron
piazzas and a fine shady garden at the back, sloping down to the river
bank; and had altogether, on the outside, the very similitude of a
wealthy and fashionable residence. The door was opened by a very dark
man, who was not a negro, and who was dressed in a splendid and
outlandish manner--a scarlet turban above his straight black hair, and
gold-hooped earrings, and a long coat or tunic, heavily embroidered in
strange devices.

"He was an Algerine pirate," whispered Arenta. "My Uncle Jacob brought
him here--and my aunt trusts him--I would not, not for a moment."

As soon as the front door closed, Joris perceived that he was in an
unusual house. The scents and odours of strange countries floated about
it. The hall contained many tall jars, full of pungent gums and roots;
and upon its walls the weapons of savage nations were crossed in idle
and harmless fashion. They went slowly up the highly polished stairway
into a large, low parlour, facing the vivid, everyday business drama of
Broadway; but the room itself was like an Arabian Night's dream, for the
Eastern atmosphere was supplemented by divans and sofas covered with