It is a good match, Mohammed, a very good match. I shall
be disappointed if you do not marry this lady. She is rich, very
rich; and are you aware that, with your epaulets, your uniform, and
your handsome sword, you must have money. Moreover, my son, he who
intends to rise in the world must have a great deal of money! It is
not through his own merit that a man is advanced. If he is poor, he
remains in the dust. You know I have offered to assist you, but you
refused me because you did not wish to accept benefits, and you were
right. My advice you can, however, accept; and my advice is, marry
the beautiful, the rich Marina, when her husband divorces her, and
sufficient time has elapsed. She is very young, younger than you; my
young friend Mohammed numbers eighteen years, and the tschorbadji's
young niece only fifteen. Take my advice, and preserve your heart
until it is time to let its wings grow, and then stretch out your
hand after the fair Marina."
"Thanks for your advice," cried Mohammed, laughing.
Never before had the merchant heard him laugh so heartily; never
before had he seen him make such a display of his white teeth. Until
to-day, Mohammed had been a remarkably grave youth. What can it be
that makes him look so joyous and laugh so heartily all of a sudden?
"Let us, however, hear no more about this fair Marina. I do not know
her, and have never seen her.
Pages:
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278