DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4995#0100
LECTURE ON EGYPT. 65
The young lady who was chosen to be Prince Has-
san's wife is pretty and charming in all respects; by
this simple plan of the Khedive's all the preliminary
hesitations, fears, jealousies, quarrels, and reconcilia-
tions, were avoided.
But you will wish to know how young Egyptian
people get to see each other, because it is reasonable
they should do so, even if they are not introduced.
Well, I will tell you how it is managed.
Suppose we are assembled in an Opera House,
with boxes on one side of the house covered with lace
in front, and so contrived in the thickness of the lace
and the pattern, that the ladies inside can unveil their
faces and see distinctly through the lace by means of
their opera glasses, without being themselves too dis-
tinctly seen. Then, suppose in the boxes opposite, is
one of the Princes, or any other young gentleman in-
teresting to the pretty imprisoned ladies, and you will
understand how the lady can become perfectly well
acquainted with every feature and expression of her
future husband.
You will wonder whether enterprising young
gentlemen try to see the interior of the boxes through
the lace, and if they employ their best opera glasses
for the purpose. Well, I am sorry to. say they do,
although it is not exactly comme ilfaut, but fortunately
they can hardly make out sufficient to* disturb then-
peace of mind. I daresay you think our old-fashioned
mode of proceeding in these matters is best, and if you
do, I entirely agree with you.
F
The young lady who was chosen to be Prince Has-
san's wife is pretty and charming in all respects; by
this simple plan of the Khedive's all the preliminary
hesitations, fears, jealousies, quarrels, and reconcilia-
tions, were avoided.
But you will wish to know how young Egyptian
people get to see each other, because it is reasonable
they should do so, even if they are not introduced.
Well, I will tell you how it is managed.
Suppose we are assembled in an Opera House,
with boxes on one side of the house covered with lace
in front, and so contrived in the thickness of the lace
and the pattern, that the ladies inside can unveil their
faces and see distinctly through the lace by means of
their opera glasses, without being themselves too dis-
tinctly seen. Then, suppose in the boxes opposite, is
one of the Princes, or any other young gentleman in-
teresting to the pretty imprisoned ladies, and you will
understand how the lady can become perfectly well
acquainted with every feature and expression of her
future husband.
You will wonder whether enterprising young
gentlemen try to see the interior of the boxes through
the lace, and if they employ their best opera glasses
for the purpose. Well, I am sorry to. say they do,
although it is not exactly comme ilfaut, but fortunately
they can hardly make out sufficient to* disturb then-
peace of mind. I daresay you think our old-fashioned
mode of proceeding in these matters is best, and if you
do, I entirely agree with you.
F