CHAPTER XLVII.
_The Feast of Tabernacles_
EVA had withdrawn from her father to her former remote position, the
moment that she had recognised the two friends, and was, therefore,
not in hearing when her father received them, and said, 'Welcome, noble
stranger! the noble Emir here, to whom a thousand welcomes, told me that
you would not be averse from joining a festival of my people.'
'I would seize any opportunity to pay my respects to you,' replied
Tancred; 'but this occasion is most agreeable to me.'
'And when, noble traveller, did you arrive at Esh Sham?'
'But this morning; we were last from Hasbeya.' Tancred then inquired
after Eva, and Besso led him to his daughter.
In the meantime the arrival of the new guests made a considerable
sensation in the chamber, especially with the Mesdemoiselles Laurella. A
young prince of the Lebanon, whatever his religion, was a distinguished
and agreeable accession to their circle, but in Tancred they recognised
a being at once civilised and fashionable, a Christian who could dance
the polka. Refreshing as springs in the desert to their long languishing
eyes were the sight of his white cravat and his boots of Parisian
polish.
'It is one of our great national festivals,' said Eva, slightly waving
her palm branch; 'the celebration of the Hebrew vintage, the Feast of
Tabernacles.
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