No, Sitta, it is impossible that they
should contemplate such fearful treachery, and rather will I die a
victim of such treachery than cowardly flee, than consider men
cowards, and warriors scoundrels!"
"Then you and yours are going to your death, Osman Bey Bardissi!"
cried Nefysseh in tones of anguish. "I conjure you once more, be
warned, and, if you will not depart today, at least do not follow
the capitan pacha to the festival, but employ the time while he is
absent in preparing to defend yourselves. And, when they return,
refuse to allow them to land until they consent to come to you
unarmed."
Osman Bey shook his head proudly; and his countenance, before
troubled, was now radiant with courage and joy. "Sitta Nefysseh,
your noble heart is concerned for your friends, and I thank you in
the name of all of us. But what your womanly sensitiveness fears,
Osman Bey may not fear, and he must not show the Turks that he
distrusts them! Allah watches over us all, and his will must be
fulfilled! Why should we fear?"
"Yet Allah often warns us in our dreams, and woe to us if we do not
interpret them aright!" said Sitta Nefysseh, in tones of entreaty.
"You insist, then, on going to Alexandria to-morrow?"
"It is so determined, Sitta, and a man keeps his word!" His arms
folded on his breast, he bowed down profoundly before her, and
kissed the hem of her flowing gold-embroidered dress.
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