--
Come, Butheita, what they have to say to each other does not concern
us, we have done our duty, and I have performed what I promised. The
Mameluke bey has also kept his promise, and my men are already on
the battlefield; I, too, must speedily return, my child, for we are
to bring home costly spoils."
While walking with her to the tent, he tells her of the splendid
caftans, the golden vessels, the jewelled daggers, and the costly
arms, that he has already gathered from the field of battle.
In the mean while the two men have approached each other. Now they
stand face to face, Osman Bey Bardissi, and the sarechsme, Mohammed
Ali, and regard each other with a long, gloomy look. Both, it seems,
wish to avoid being the first to speak a word of greeting.
Finally, Osman breaks the silence. "This, Mohammed Ali, is our third
meeting. The first, you will recollect, was at Cavalla. Two boys,
both ambitious, addressed each other in tones of mockery and
derision. In the years that have since passed, I have often thought
of the boy with the eagle eyes and the haughty, contemptuous smile.
Our second meeting occurred a few months since, after the massacre
at Aboukir. You were my enemy, and yet you acted as my friend. You
saved Osman Bey Bardissi's life. Then I said to you: 'I will
remember this, Mohammed Ali, and in me you have found a friend for
all time.
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