Sitta Nefysseh regarded all this magnificence with an air of
indifference.
"Accept the offering my adoration lays at your feet!" entreated
L'Elfi. "You know I was with the British general in England, and,
while there, I thought of you, and, before the ship left London, it
was for days my sole occupation and endeavor to select beautiful
things for you from among the articles displayed in the magnificent
stores. I could not bring them with me, but they were sent after me,
and have this day arrived. Pray accept them at the hands of your
slave!"
"It seems to me that no one is privileged to offer Mourad Bey's
widow presents of such value," said she, almost severely. "Yet," she
continued in milder tones, "I will not humiliate him who was my
husband's friend and companion. I will accept your gifts; they shall
be placed in the saloon, and all the world shall see how L'Elfi Bey
seeks to honor the widow of his former chieftain and friend. Thus
will I accept your gifts, and give you thanks for them!--Come, Osman
Bardissi!" she continued in louder tones, beckoning to the bey, who
stood without in the shade of an oleander-tree--"come and see the
magnificent presents which L'Elfi Bey has brought me from England!"
L'Elfi's countenance darkened, and he recoiled a step almost in
anger. "What! Osman Bey is here?"
"And why not? He has recovered from the wounds received at Aboukir.
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