222 THE STORY OF THE KHEDIVATE.

made to me the following comments on his late employer's character : — ** It is impossible to understand the working of Ismail's mind. If I told him that by paying a thousand pounds to a French Minister, who was notoriously in want of money, he could secure the Minister's influence with the Government, he would never believe the truth of my statement. But if I told him that the confidential secretary of the Minister had an intrigue with his employer's wife, and was at the same time in love with a ballet-girl, and that by bribing the girl's mother he could indirectly secure the services of the Minister, he would give me any sum I asked without further questions."

From this point of view, it is easy to understand how, in his exile, Ismail fell a prey to every adventurer who could suggest any roundabout channel by which personal influence might be brought to bear in furtherance of his heart's desire. He resided at the Favorita palace near Portici for some years, but quitted Naples because one of his wives escaped from the palace in company, it was reported, with an Italian barber, and because the Prefect of the city declined to compel her to return to the harem. After that he remained for a period without any settled residence, but lived chiefly in hotels in London, Paris, Vienna, and the Continental watering-places. He was very fond of seeing anybody whom he had known in Egypt, and for his old English acquaintances and friends in Cairo he