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The excerpt represents the core issue or deciding factor on which you must meditate, and is drawn from A Start in Life by Honore de Balzac: "At that time Ali Tebelen wanted to rid himself of Chosrew pacha,
another queer chap! You call him, here, Chaureff; but the name is
pronounced, in Turkish, Cosserew. You must have read in the newspapers
how old Ali drubbed Chosrew, and soundly, too, faith! Well, if it
hadn't been for me, Ali Tebelen himself would have bit the dust two
days earlier. I was at the right wing, and I saw Chosrew, an old sly-
boots, thinking to force our centre,--ranks closed, stiff, swift, fine
movement a la Murat. Good! I take my time; then I charge, double-
quick, and cut his line in two,--you understand? Ha! ha! after the
affair was over, Ali kissed me--"
"Do they do that in the East?" asked the count, in a joking way.
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