"I have
often regretted having caused you this misery. Yet you must have
become satisfied yourself, young man, that I could not do otherwise.
I acted in accordance with the law."
"You only acted in accordance with the law," replies Mohammed, in a
low voice. "The law ordains that the faithless runaway be punished,
and also he with whom she has fled. The captured slave was killed,
and it seems to me it was an act of clemency to permit him who loved
her to witness her execution without being able to help her. Yes, an
act of great clemency. You might have punished me more severely."
Again Cousrouf gazes into his countenance searchingly. The tone of
his voice is mild and submissive, yet his words bear stings.
"I should think, Mohammed, that death itself were preferable to the
punishment of being compelled to witness the execution of the
beloved without being able to help her. In the years that have since
passed, I have often thought that it was cruel, and wished I had not
dealt so harshly with you. Does it suffice that I confess this to
you? Will you say this to the other--the dead and transformed--and
will it console him?"
"O master, what magnanimity!" exclaims Mohammed.
"You are generous enough to confess that you feel regret at having
done justice to that slave?"
"I was passionate, and you had excited my wrath," replies the pacha,
gently inclining his head.
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