"He graciously forgets the days that have been."
"No, my son," said the sheik, "Cousrouf Pacha is a proud, cruel man,
and he now wishes to show himself to those who saw him in those days
when he was powerless, and an exile, in his grandeur and
magnificence. You must know, my son, that oftentimes that which
seems noble and generous, consists really only of vaingloriousness
and love of display."
"I thank you for these words, O sheik," cried Mohammed, with a
fierce gesture, "I thank you for having spoken from my soul. Young
as I then was, I believe I thoroughly understood this man, and I am
glad you interpret my thoughts so well."
"Mohammed," said the sheik, after a pause, "you must accompany your
young friend Osman."
"Osman! no, that is impossible; how can Osman fill such a position?"
"He can," said the sheik, "for you, Mohammed, will accompany him."
"No, sheik, I shall not accompany him; I shall remain here."
"You will remain here, and why?"
"I have a wife and children," replied Mohammed, quickly, as if
speaking to himself. "I cannot separate myself from them. I must not
think of it; I have a home, a family, a prosperous business, and I
live a peaceful life; why, therefore, O sheik, go out into the
troubled world to end my days, perhaps, in misery? Here, I know what
I am--a respected merchant, a favorite of the governor, the friend
of his son, and I may boast of your friendship, too, sheik.
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