This little bit of burlesque, short as it is, is full of delicate satirical touches. The prompt attention given to the complaint of the robber, who of course has no rights whatever in the premises; the readiness of the khan to infer malice on the part of the plundered Lesghian; his unique conception of the _lex talionis_ as a law which may be satisfied with anybody's eye; the cool assumption that because the unfortunate fifer occasionally _shuts_ both eyes he ought in strict justice to _lose_ both eyes, and should be duly grateful to the merciful khan for permitting him to keep one of them,--are all the fine and skilful touches of a bright wit and a humorous fancy.
When I looked under her bonnet I perceived a face that was more to my mind than any face I had ever before seen. Perhaps it was wrong for me to think so much about a face; but it was borne in upon me that such a well-favored countenance must of necessity come from a still more well-favored manner of life; for a face, to me, is only the reflex of the inner workings of Life, and to this day I doubt if I could sit down and describe fully the shape or moulding of any one particular feature of that face, for it was not the _face_, but the expression that formed it, that inclined me toward it. I was a stranger in the place, and but newly come, and my name had forerun me in kindly writings from many friends, so that I may often have been mentioned in households where I had never been seen. But I went to Barbara Hicks's father, and informed him how considerably my mind inclined me toward his daughter, and that I would, if he permitted me, ask to be better known unto her. "Thee is over young to think of marriage, friend Biddle," said he.
I felt a burning sensation mounting to my face, and I could only say in reply, "Verily. But the heart of youth is lonely--more so than the heart of age, and it looks upon all Nature for companionship."
"Thy mingling with the world's people has made thee glib of tongue," said he, eyeing me, and smiling as much as was seemly.
"But I am not of the world's people, if thee means the flaunters of various colors and loud-voiced nothings. And I do not think of marriage--nay, will not--until thy daughter has taken me into full acquaintanceship and approbation. Thee knows I am not advanced in the world's wealth, and that I am but a beginner in manhood; thee knows that I came here and set up as a lumberman; thee may or may not care to have thy daughter to know me."