He did so now.

By way of reply, he bade Midhat come to the Palace.

Midhat, fearing a trap, deferred his visit, until he received the assurance that the order for the reforms had been issued.

Then he obeyed the summons; at once he was apprehended, and was hurried to the Sultan's yacht, which forthwith steamed away for the Aegean (Feb.

5).