She put out her rosy lips, but
then suddenly drew back and defended herself vigorously.
"Did I not tell you of my promise to my father? No man shall ever
kiss me except the one who shall lead me to his tent as his wife. It
is well that father is coming. Farewell, sarechsme, if I should riot
see you again! Farewell! and let me keep my vow!"
She gently pushes him back, and flies out of the tent to meet her
father. Sheik Arnhyn recognizes and hails her with a shout of
delight.
"Butheita, have you succeeded, have you guarded the stranger well?"
"I have taken good care of him; come, father, and see!" She takes
her father's arm, and, without looking at the man who walks close
behind him, draws the sheik quickly to the tent.
But Mohammed, with a proud and grave expression of countenance,
advances to meet them. Butheita now hardly recognizes, in the
haughty sarechsme, with his imperious bearing, the stranger, who is
no longer a stranger to her heart.
"Speak, sheik! How dared you lead me away, a prisoner, from my army?
Really, you were very presumptuous. Such conduct is calculated to
excite my just anger and indignation."
The sheik made a profound obeisance.
"I trust you will forgive me, sarechsme; what I did was done at the
command of my master. There he comes; he is called Osman Bey
Bardissi. He comes crowned with victory, and will treat with you.
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