"Oh, hear me, Masa, and do not be angry!" he cried, entreatingly.
"Allah has seen us, and now hears my vow of fidelity. You say I
shall live. Then say, too, that I may live for you! I swear to you
that I have loved no woman but you, that no other woman shall ever
dwell in my harem. Oh, speak, will you be mine, will you love me,
and be true to me?"
He paused, and awaited an answer, he waited long, but no answer
came. It seemed to him that, with him, all Nature was awaiting an
answer. The foliage of the trees ceased rustling, the songs of the
birds were hushed, the eagle folded his pinions in the nest to which
he had just returned, and gazed fixedly at the sun. The waves
subdued their murmurings, and even the wind held its breath; all
Nature was mute, and yet no answer came from the maiden's pure lips.
"O Masa, will you be true to me, will you love me, will you one day
come with me to my home?" urged the youth in tones of passionate
entreaty.
Her lips parted, and, in low, soft tones, like spirit-whisperings,
she murmured, "Yes, I love you, and will be true to you."
He hears her, and bows down, and kisses the hem of her veil.
Sacred is the woman of a man's first love; sacred is the moment when
he avows to her his love; sacred is the moment when he dares, for
the first time, to approach and touch her.
But suddenly an emotion of horror thrills his whole being.
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