"
"And what is it you desire, master?" asked the innocent, anxious
maiden in tremulous tones.
He gazed on her passionately, a smile lighting up his countenance.
"Lift your veil, and let me look upon your countenance."
She shuddered, and drew her veil so closely about her face, that it
concealed her eyes also.
"O master!" said she, in low tones of entreaty. "As you know, the
custom of our land forbids a girl to appear unveiled before a man."
"Unless he be the man who takes her into his harem," replied he,
smiling.
"Yes, master, only before him whom she follows into the harem, and
then only when she has already followed him, may she unveil her face
before him. Therefore, be merciful, O master! Honor the custom of
our land, and do not demand of me what I could never confess to my
father!"
"Silly girl," answered he. "I do demand it, and, if it is denied me,
your father's head falls. You admit he is the only man you love, and
your only shield. When he is dead, you will be a beggar, and will
not even be able to purchase a veil, for the poor are everywhere
unveiled, and are, on that account, no worse than you who mask your
faces with veils. Therefore, daughter of the sheik, lift your veil!"
"Mercy! mercy!" she exclaimed, raising her hands entreatingly. "I
cannot do what you desire. I dare not. I have sworn an oath!"
"An oath?" said he, gazing at her piercingly.
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