“I have two sons and a daughter.  I no longer think of my sons, because they have received their share of my fortune.  As far as my daughter is concerned she will, after my death, inherit all my possessions, and I am, besides, in a position while I am alive to promote the fortune of the man who may marry her.  Five years ago I took a young wife, but she has not given me any progeny, and I know to a certainty that no offspring will bless our union.  My daughter, whose name is Zelmi, is now fifteen; she is handsome, her eyes are black and lovely like her mother’s, her hair is of the colour of the raven’s wing, her complexion is animated alabaster; she is tall, well made, and of a sweet disposition; I have given her an education which would make her worthy of our master, the Sultan.  She speaks Greek and Italian fluently, she sings delightfully, and accompanies herself on the harp; she can draw and embroider, and is always contented and cheerful.  No living man can boast of having seen her features, and she loves me so dearly that my will is hers.  My daughter is a treasure, and I offer her to you if you will consent to go for one year to Adrianople to reside with a relative of mine, who will teach you our religion, our language, and our manners.  You will return at the end of one year, and as soon as you have become a Mussulman my daughter shall be your wife.  You will find a house ready furnished, slaves of your own, and an income which will enable you to live in comfort.  I have no more to say at present.  I do not wish you to answer me either to-day, or to-morrow, or on any fixed day.  You will give me your decision whenever you feel yourself called upon by your genius to give it, and you need not give me any answer unless you accept my offer, for, should you refuse it, it is not necessary that the subject should be again mentioned.  I do not ask you to give full consideration to my proposal, for now that I have thrown the seed in your soul it must fructify.  Without hurry, without delay, without anxiety, you can but obey the decrees of God and follow the immutable decision of fate.  Such as I know you, I believe that you only require the possession of Zelmi to be completely happy, and that you will become one of the pillars of the Ottoman Empire.”

Saying those words, Yusuf pressed me affectionately in his arms, and left me by myself to avoid any answer I might be inclined to make.  I went away in such wonder at all I had just heard, that I found myself at the Venetian Embassy without knowing how I had reached it.  The baili thought me very pensive, and asked whether anything was the matter with me, but I did not feel disposed to gratify their curiosity.  I found that Yusuf had indeed spoken truly:  his proposal was of such importance that it was my duty, not only not to mention it to anyone, but even to abstain from thinking it over, until my mind had recovered its calm sufficiently to give me the assurance that no external consideration would weigh in the balance and influence my decision.  I had to silence all my passions; prejudices, principles already formed, love, and even self-interest were to remain in a state of complete inaction.