Demand
this very day, that, after these long-continued festivities, the
grave matters that call you here be immediately proceeded with;
demand that the conditions on which the sultan is to make you free
and independent in Upper Egypt be plainly stated. And if they will
not name them, then embark in your boats before the sun sets, and
return to Cairo; for, believe me, there alone will you be safe! I
come to you in the name of Destiny, by whom I have been warned! My
lord and master appeared to me last night in a dream, showed me his
bleeding wounds, and said to me: 'Go and save my friends. Say to
them that the last battle has not yet been fought at Aboukir, and
tell them that, if they do not hasten to depart, the waves that
encircle Aboukir will soon be reddened with their blood, as was the
said of Aboukir a few years ago!' And therefore have I come, O
Osman, to warn you! Put away from you your confidence in these
treacherous Turks. Do not hearken to the whisperings of the English
men, do not rely on the promises of your enemies. Require a decision
this very day, and if it is not given, depart at once, before the
setting of the sun. Danger threatens you all, great, fearful
danger."
"Impossible, Sitta!" replied Osman Bey, composedly. "Impossible! We
cannot depart to-day, and the decision cannot be made now. But I
have already demanded it, and they have promised that these matters
shall be arranged in the course of a few days.
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