Does it not become him to pay his respects to me? He has this
privilege in common with yourself."
"True, my queen; pray forgive me for daring to find fault with your
pleasure.--I greet you, Osman Bey Bardissi. I am glad to see you
here! And now, I pray you, let me also see the gifts which you have
brought the Rose of Cairo in token of your reverence and devotion.
What becomes you, becomes me also; and, as Sitta Nefysseh has
allowed you to see what I have brought, she will not refuse to
permit me to see the offering of your devotion."
"You shall see it, L'Elfi Bey," said Osman, in a somewhat derisive
tone. He stepped to the lattice-work of the kiosk, and, plucking the
most beautiful crimson rose he could see, knelt down before Sitta
Nefysseh and laid it at her feet. "This, Sitta, is my gift. I lay at
your feet, the most beautiful of your sisters, your image!"
She smiled. "I thank you, Osman Bey, and gladly accept your
offering, for Allah has created it."
He handed her the rose. She took it, held it to her face, and
inhaled its fragrance. She then gracefully fell back on her cushion.
"Arise, Bardissi!" said she. "I have accepted the gifts of both of
you; and, now that you are both the same in sentiment, but one thing
is wanting."
"And what is this one thing still wanting?"
"Grasp each other's hands," said she, smiling. "I know that you have
long been at enmity with each other; discord prevails in the land of
my great beys.
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