The escort. Behind them comes a great crowd of cavalry, gorgeously attired, mounted on beautiful horses, and led by a Moor of lofty stature, wearing a white turban and a red caftan. This is the Grand Master of Ceremonies, Hadje Mohammed Ben Aissa, with the officers of his suite. He is the bearer of the Sultan's message of welcome to the ambassador, and falls in, in his turn, with the escort.