"
"Then decide, O Sitta!" said L'Elfi.
"You shall both go; neither shall remain," replied she, sadly. "I
see that you are still enemies. Oh, I tell you, you will reap a
bitter harvest from this bitter seed. The struggle, in which you
should present to the enemy a united front, already begins, and you
are still at enmity. Therefore, I say to you, leave me, and return
no more; while hatred exists between you, you shall never more come
into my presence!"
"Forgiveness, forgiveness! Our hatred shall be forgotten!" exclaimed
both, falling upon their knees before her.
"My only entreaty is this," cried L'Elfi. "Allow me a brief quarter
of an hour. Was not Osman Bey honored with an audience alone, and
would it not become you to show me the same favor?"
"He was the first who came," replied she, quickly, "and, therefore,
was I alone with him. Had you accompanied him, you would have heard
what he had to say, just as he shall hear what you have to say."
"Then let it be so; he shall hear!" exclaimed L'Elfi, springing to
his feet. He first turned haughtily to Osman Bey, and then bowed
profoundly before Sitta Nefysseh. "Let the whole world hear what
L'Elfi has to say to the widow of his friend. He comes here to lay
all he possesses at your feet. He desires to consecrate to you his
life and heart's blood, and entreats the loveliest and noblest of
women to hear his prayers.
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