"So be it!" I said. "Kismet. I shall therefore request you, Grand Vizir, to give public notice of the abolition of all useless offices, of which I will give you a list after dinner."
"But consider!" said Dorema, in a low, frightened tone.
"Would you rather be the Imperial Consort Dorema, Queen and Empress of King Chubaiboy the First," I asked her proudly, "and have to be at the beck and call of all these palace nuisances, or would you rather be my own Mrs. Mudjahoy, free to do as you please?"
For a moment she hesitated, and I trembled. But, brightening up, she asked: "And travel incog.?"
"Certainly," I answered; "nay, more: live incog, wherever we choose!"
"I'm for Reform and Mrs. Mudjahoy," replied my lovely bride.
The Vizir and Master of Ceremonies remained respectfully silent during our interview. Then the Vizir asked me: "Do you intend to abolish the Royal White Elephant?"
"Precisely," I answered. "That albino sinecure will be the first to go on the list."
"Is your life insured?" asked the Master of Ceremonies politely but impressively.
"No," I said. Dorema sighed. "But," said I, "you will see that the whole people will hail me as their deliverer."
"We shall see," said the Vizir; but I did n't like the inflections he chose.
Declaring the interview at an end, I dismissed my ministers, said farewell to my brave queen, and gave the rest of the day to the preparation of the List. It was comprehensive and complete.
"There!" said I, as I laid down my reed pen and corked the ink-horn. "To-morrow will look upon an enfranchised people!"
But the Grand Vizir was a man of considerable wisdom. We
