"Well, people ask why it is that Osman, the tschorbadji's son, is so
very affectionate to you, and why the governor himself has always so
distinguished you, and now made you boulouk bashi?"
"I had supposed it was because I deserved it," said Mohammed,
hastily, "and I thought Osman showed his affection because he loved
the friend who had grown up with him."
"He assuredly does love you, and the tschorbadji also rewards you on
account of your merit, or he would not have done so at all, and
would not have chosen you for what he desires of you."
"And what does he desire of me? For what has he chosen me?"
"It is said he wishes you to become the husband of the beautiful
Marina, his niece."
"I do not even know this lady," said Mohammed, shrugging his
shoulders.
"You do not know her, but she perhaps knows you," said the merchant,
smiling. "She is very beautiful, it is said. She is married, as you
are aware, to my rival, the merchant across the street, I have
observed that this fair lady opens her shutters, to peep out at
Mohammed, whenever he passes by. The neighbors say this is why her
husband has become jealous, and threatens to drive her away, if she
continues to look after the young men. You now perceive, Mohammed,
that Marina, the tschorbadji's niece, has an eye on you, and perhaps
even two, and that her husband knows it. The peace of the house has
thus been broken on your account, and the people say the tschorbadji
will now take his niece home again, and that you are to marry her
afterward.
Pages:
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277