Away with
thoughts of thee, Queen of the Desert!
He rises from the mat, and thanks his hostess for the repast in set
phrases, and with a cold manner; he begs her to pay no attention to
him, and not to allow herself to be disturbed in her household
occupations by him. Butheita looks at him with astonishment-an
expression of offended pride in her countenance.
"You desire to be alone, stranger? I can well understand that my
foolish words annoy you. I will leave you alone, sarechsme. I see
well you are a proud man, and it does not seem proper to you to be
alone with a Bedouin's daughter long. I can not prevent it; forgive
me. I will attend to my household affairs, as you suggest. I rely on
your promise, stranger, not to leave the inner apartment."
"You can rely on my word," said he, earnestly. "I am your prisoner,
your slave. I am so more completely than you think."
A charming smile again lights up her brown countenance. With a
joyous nod of her head, she bounds out of the tent.
CHAPTER III
THE AGREEMENT.
THE sun was already low in the heavens. The palm trees in the
neighboring wood of Petresin threw long shadows across the yellow
sand, and yet Sheik Arnhyn had not yet come, and Mohammed waited in
vain for intelligence concerning his captor's purposes.
He had again been seated with Butheita on the mat, and had eaten
with her as in the morning.
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