The house had been new whitened, and looked well enough outside, but the interior was inconceivably wretched.

Every domestic utensil was broken, and the only seats were a few dirty tattered mats.
Bonaparte knew that the sheik was rich, and having somewhat won his confidence, he asked him, through the medium of the interpreter, why, being in easy circumstances, he thus deprived himself of all comfort.
"Some years ago," replied the sheik, "I repaired and furnished my house.
When this became known at Cairo a demand was made upon me for money, because it was said my expenses proved me to be rich.

I refused to pay the money, and in consequence I was ill-treated, and at length forced to pay it.

From that time I have allowed myself only the bare necessaries of life, and I shall buy no furniture for my house." The old man was lame in consequence of the treatment he had suffered.

Woe to him who in this country is suspected of having a competency--a hundred spies are always ready to denounce him.