You have sworn by all you hold sacred--by Allah and by your
mother."
"Yes, I have so sworn," said she, in a low voice.
"You will keep your word, and henceforth you will belong to me; for
you are now mine: remember this. You are mine wherever you go, my
property, my slave. This evening, when the night sinks down, and
when your father has retired to rest, then you will come to my
garden, where I shall await you with my eunuchs."
"I shall come, master. Am I not your slave, and have you not paid
for me?"
He nodded to her, and then turned and left the room.
Masa drew her veil closer about her face, that none might see that
it was wet with her tears.
CHAPTER VI
THE FLIGHT.
The court-yard without now presents a busy appearance. The fishermen
of Praousta, becoming impatient and anxious, had hurried in a body
up the stairway in the rock. When the signal for the morning prayer
was sounded from the minarets they knew that nothing was to be hoped
for from the efforts of the sheik's daughter, and they agreed among
themselves that they would go up in a body and petition for mercy.
They hastily agreed upon what they should say to the governor, and
determined, of course, in their generosity of heart, that they would
yield, and promise the governor to pay the double tax if he would
only patiently wait a little while. This was their resolve.
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