She wept long, Mohammed, but when she had dried her
eyes, she said she loved him so dearly that she would do all that
lay in her power to secure his happiness, and that she would watch
over him as his friend."
"She is a noble woman," said Mohammed. "Bear my greeting to her, but
I pray you tell her nothing more concerning me."
"You may rest assured," said Osman. "We do not confide our dearest
secrets to women, for we are not always certain of their silence.
She knows nothing, except that the pacha is your enemy, and that the
latter has told these women that he is seeking an opportunity to
destroy you. You have often offended him with your hasty words and
threatening manner, and Cousrouf Pacha is not the man to pardon any
offence. Marina is well aware of this, and therefore observes and
listens to everything."
"Does Cousrouf Pacha know that there is any connection between me
and Masa?"
"Yes, he is a close observer, and, on the morning of the flight, he
read in your countenance, as I also did, that there was no happier
man in Cavalla than Mohammed Ali. But yesterday his countenance was
gloomy, to-day it is radiant. Cousrouf Pacha did not fail to divine
the cause of this sudden transformation. Therefore be on your guard,
my friend, and wait until it is dark and all are asleep before you
go to your cave."
"I will do so; I will be careful, Osman--I swear it.
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