"
"In the course of a few days!" repeated Sitta. "You have warned your
enemies yourself, Osman! They have observed that distrust has begun
to bud in your hitherto trusting heart, and with their swords and
daggers they will destroy the tender plant in its first growth. By
Allah, I conjure you, and by your love for my husband, be on your
guard; leave the peninsula, and return to Cairo!"
"If it were possible, Sitta, I would do it out of reverence for you.
But on the morrow, I promise you, I will return to the continent.
To-morrow, a festival takes place in Alexandria; Lord Balan, the
English general, is to receive his troops there, and the capitan
pacha, who is encamped here with his warriors, has invited us to
participate in the festivities at Alexandria."
"Beware, oh beware, Osman!" cried Sitta Nefysseh, extending her arms
toward heaven. "By Allah and the prophets, I conjure you, go not to
sea with the Turks to-morrow! Listen to my words, Osman! I have
devoted servants with those whom you call your friends, but who can
only be your enemies. One of them has informed me of their purpose.
Before the harbor of Alexandria lies a Turkish fleet; it lies in
wait for you, and your boats will not be allowed to land unless
freighted with your dead bodies!"
"This is not possible," cried the bey, recoiling a step in dismay.
"They cannot have planned so fearful a deception! They cannot be so
faithless! Are they not of our religion; were the prophet's words
not spoken for them as for us? Do they not know that it is written
in the Koran: 'Let a man hold his word sacred! Curses and shame upon
him who bears a lie on his lips, and yet seals it with the name of
Allah and the prophet!' No, Sitta, I tell you the capitan pacha
sealed his vow of friendship with the name of Allah and the prophet,
and the settlement of the details only was wanting to establish this
bond of friendship forever.
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