It is well that
the opportunity has at last come to breathe freely in the stillness
of one's chamber, and to thank Allah, with earnest prayer, for
having given them a happy issue out of the cares and dangers of the
preceding day.
The sheik has finished his prayer in the silence of his chamber. He
now lightly ascends the stairway to the harem where his beloved
child, his Masa, sojourns. Before the door of her chamber sits
Djumeila, the faithful servant, and with upraised hand she motions
to the sheik to step softly and make no noise, that Masa may not be
disturbed.
"You know, master, that she has been complaining the whole day.
Anxiety and care for you, and the pain and exposure she has endured,
have made my dove ill, and she has gone to her room to rest and
restore her strength. She therefore requests you, through me, to
allow her to remain undisturbed until tomorrow morning. She has not
been able to sleep at all during the day, and has continually wept
and complained; but at last, toward evening she partook of some food
and fell asleep. Yesterday she was so courageous and strong, but
today she has been weak and dejected. Before going to sleep she
called me to her bedside and told me to bear her greeting to her
father; and to say to him that she hoped to be entirely recovered by
tomorrow morning, and would come down to breakfast to hand you, my
master, your coffee and chibouque.
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