Mohammed Ali and His House

the secret vault, the entrance to which had been confided by Mourad Bey t

had confided it to the kachef Youssouf only, and they t

ents, Youssouf announced himself, and, upon being admitted, ste

rise. "What does this mea

is one opens the inner, an

oussouf," said his mistress,

nance radiant with delight. "You wish to conf

onfide to the kachef of my deceased husband all that I have and pos

hich he found it impossible to re

rdissi, and tell him that Sitta Nefysseh sends them to him, and that in the vault here are souvenirs for her friends. You, howev

t in the wall a small book, bound with

the instructions contained in it, but the book itself you will keep. My initials are on it, set in splendid diam

on his knees. "No, I can bear it no longer! The thought of your dying robs me

ing. "We must be firm and brave. Youssouf must not weep

is eyes. "Mistress, at your bidding my heart is strong again,

f. Youssouf's eyes rested on her in a glance of such pa

commission to gi

ghtest is a command for me, and would be car

h a slight start. "N

l not die! No, thought

I wish you to mount y

Bardissi

quire Youssouf to leave you, him who promised his master, Mourad Bey, that he would faithfully stand beside you his life long! You cannot send me away, you will wait until the danger is past; then will I

nd secret, and I can entrust it to no one but you. Within an hour, you will

h you until the danger is past, then I will fly to Osman Bey, a

you are a free man, and may let your beard grow. Now when I, for the first time, put your obedience to the proof, you refuse to do what I require. Is that hon

ve me from you; you wish to proclaim to the wo

cried she, her eyes

return? 'When danger threatened, he deserted his mistress,' I already he

who sent you away. Go, now, Kachef Youssouf. Too many words ha

ugh his heart break? What do you care, though my whole future be made miserable? Like a heavenly vision, you float high above all human angu

t made his heart leap-"Youssouf, yo

y. He stood gazing at her, entranced, seeming to hear and see nothing. Not far from him, her face turned away, Sitta Nefysseh stood still. He dist

No one can say that Mourad Bey's widow has a cold, hard heart. Mourad Bey knew otherwise; he knew that I loved him; and if I have seemed, since his death, to have a c

ave executed your command, then I may return to my mis

long, black lashes, sink down over her beautiful ey

she, in a

r than cried, Youssou

ious ease, reclining on soft cushions. Consider that Mourad Bey never laid aside his sword. Remember that, when the trumpet sounded, he was ever the first to the field. He would have considered him his enemy who should have said to him: 'Remain at home, and repose on your cushions while your brethren are facing death for the fatherland!' I think you should endeavor to follow his example. You must follow

f despair. "She drives me from her like a miserable dog

pursuit of glory. Let glory be your aim. You shall be called a hero, and the scha-er shall proclaim your deeds to the listening people. And this, O Youssouf," she added in lower tones, "this is my consolation in parting with you-you," she quickly resumed, as if feeling

in a choking voice. "

Nefy

souf," cried she.

ase fear that drives me to despair. When going with my master to battle, I have never known fear. I am going awa

and dignity that he started-" Youssouf, I ha

this hour; but now you drive me

m appear on her threshold, and then-And now," she quickly interrupted herself, "have you heard your mistress's command? You will not seek death? You swear to me that you will fight like a true soldier for fatherland and glory, and that you will not seek death? The brave

tta Nefysseh, you are not cruel in sending me away; you are only wise and thoughtful, not cold and hard of heart, are you? You view the world with composure and wisdom. You find that Kachef Youssouf should no longer remain here in ease and inactivity, and you send him from you for his

t him intently; he did not see the expression of anguish that rested on her features. When he

ready to go. I will do as you say; I will not seek death, but I will thank Allah if he allows it to find me. Farewell, mistress!

tched arms, and the flood of tears which she

sly grant that I may be able to reward him for all his love, and for all the pain I have caused him! Let Kachef Youssouf

thout. A cry resounds from her lips, and she sinks down. "O Allah,