Mohammed has forgotten his ambitious plans, all the thousand wishes
that agitated his heart at other times. For the moment he is once
more the boy of Cavalla, communing with Nature in innocence and
joyousness, for to him Butheita's fair form now represents Nature.
It is not indeed Nature itself that charms him, but Nature's fair
daughter, Butheita. He must and will resist the charm, for he has
now broken bread, and eaten fruit with her. He is her guest, and he
must hold his young hostess sacred.
He forces himself to assume a grave manner, and directs his thoughts
to turn from her fair presence and occupy themselves with the events
that have taken place, and the great wrong done him. Perhaps at this
moment a battle is raging on the plain of Damanbour, and Youssouf
Bey is perhaps Victorious over the Mamelukes. What will his fate be
in that case? will not the defeated enemy avenge themselves cruelly
on him? But if, on the other hand, Youssouf has been routed and put
to flight, then woe to you alike, Mohammed! Youssouf will then
complain of him to Cousrouf Pacha, and he will be accused of
treason-yes, of treason, if he does not confess that he is a
prisoner. But, if he confesses this, he will become the laughing-
stock of the whole army. Yes, in Butheita's presence all that was
painful and disagreeable in his position had been forgotten. Now he
endeavors to force his thoughts to consider these things.
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