'Does he like Brusa?'
'Not as much at Stamboul.'
'Is Stamboul the largest city in the world?'
'I apprehend by no means,' said Fakredeen.
'What is larger?'
'London is larger, the great city of the English, from which the prince
comes; Paris is also larger, but not so large as London.'
'How many persons are there in Stamboul?'
'More than half a million.'
'Have you seen Antakia (Antioch)?' the Queen inquired of Tancred.
'Not yet.'
'You have seen Beiroot?'
'I have.'
'Antakia is not nearly so great a place as Beiroot,' said the Queen;
'yet once Antakia was much larger than Stamboul; as large, perhaps, as
your great city.'
'And far more beautiful than either,' said Tancred.
'Ah! you have heard of these things!' exclaimed the Queen, with much
animation. 'Now tell me, why is Antakia no longer a great city, as great
as Stamboul and the city of the English, and far more beautiful?'
'It is a question that might perplex the wise,' said Tancred.
'I am not wise,' said the Queen, looking earnestly at Tancred, 'yet I
could solve it.'
'Would that your Majesty would deign to do so.'
'There are things to be said, and there are things not to be said,' was
the reply, and the Queen looked at Keferinis.
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