He says she accepted the purchase-money, and she therefore
belongs to the master who bought her. Will she come, or shall we
have to get possession of her by force tomorrow?"
"I hope she will come of her own word," said the other. "These
fishermen are so brave, and have such hard fists."
"And I hope she will not," said the first, laughing. "We must take
her by force. I should relish just such a row. If they have hard
fists, we have sharp, glittering weapons. And then, as you know, the
soldiers are coming to take up their quarters here tomorrow; the
tschorbadji will send a part of them to help us when the company
arrives."
The pacha is still standing at the window, looking out into the
night. He raises his hands threateningly, and his eyes glitter like
those of the panther, lying in wait for his prey.
"Woe to her if she breaks the triple oath! Cousrouf Pacha will know
how to avenge himself. She must become mine--she is mine already. I
have bought this slave, and, by Allah, what I have bought I will
also possess!"
At last, day dawns. The sun sends out into the heavens its purple
heralds, and it begins to grow lighter in the garden. The pacha now
sees a figure coming up the walk. It is one of the eunuchs. He goes
noiselessly into the house, to his master.
"Has she come?" asks he, with quivering lips.
"No, master, she has not come. The path that leads up from the
village is still empty.
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