"
"Yes, we will say this," cried l'Elfi, joyously. "Mourad's widow
commanded us to be united, and therefore are we united.--And now let
us go, Osman Bey; it is, however, not necessary that we walk arm-in-
arm here; only when we have passed the threshold of this house shall
Osman give me his arm, that the world may see your influence over
us."
Osman Bey walked rapidly down the avenue. L'Elfi followed him slowly
and hesitatingly, looking back twice at Sitta Nefysseh. The latter
waved her hand deprecatingly, and he then rapidly followed Osman.
Sitta Nefysseh sighed profoundly as the two disappeared through the
gateway, falling back upon her cushions as if overwhelmed with
grief. She heard nothing of the music, that still resounded from the
rose-bushes; she heard only the secret and sacred voices which
lamented in her soul, and she shuddered at what they said.
"No, no, it may not be," said she to herself. "I saved myself from
their importunity by the falsehood of the oath. I never swore to my
husband that Mourad's wife would become the wife of no other. It was
not because an oath bound her that she rejected them; but because
her heart so willed it. Not without love is Mourad's widow; but whom
she loves no one must know, no one must even suspect."
She arose and threw back her veil to wipe away the tears that burned
her eyes. Suddenly she trembled, a deep blush overspreading her
countenance.
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