"I can no longer look upon your dear face, I cannot!" he cries, in
tones of anguish. "I have a dread foreboding that I see you for the
last time. Farewell, Masa, farewell! Pray for me, and for yourself,
and for our love. Farewell, sweet being, my white dove, farewell!"
He folds her to his heart once more, and then away, away out into
the night. He still hears behind him the tones of the sweet voice
crying, "Farewell, farewell!"
Then all is still, and he rushes on through the darkness toward the
stairway in the rock.
BOOK III.
THE MAMELUKES
CHAPTER I
REVENGE.
The night was mild and warm; the sea rested in silent majesty like a
slumbering lion, and the wind seemed to hold its breath in order
that his repose might not be disturbed. To be in the open air on
such a night was good for the weak breast of an invalid, and Osman's
father was therefore not surprised when his son expressed a desire
to pass the night in the garden pavilion, in preference to remaining
in the close apartments of the palace. He would be protected from
wind and rain by the roof of the pavilion, and from all other
sources of danger the two slaves that had been his faithful and
devoted servants from his earliest youth would guard him. The two
servants carried his cushions down into the garden, and Osman now
lay there, wrapped in his silken coverlet; the two slaves were
crouched down at his side.
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