Note 119 — HASSAN OR THE CHILD OF THE PYRAMID (continued 7)

The episode of the conspiracy described above is founded on fact but it took place some years before the date assigned to our tale. One day when I was sitting tête-à-tête with Mohammed Ali, he spoke very disparagingly of Ibrahim Pasha. I observed, “Yet on the occasion of that dangerous conspiracy against your Highness’s life Ibrahim behaved well, and gave no encouragement to it.” “He dared not,” replied the Old Lion; “but it was only fear that withheld him.” I shall never forget the fire that flashed from his eyes as he uttered these words.