"
"Youssouf, I had always supposed you were devoted and obedient to
me," said she, in tones of displeasure. "You have sworn that you
will be my slave, although you are a free man, and may let your
beard grow. Now when I, for the first time, put your obedience to
the proof, you refuse to do what I require. Is that honoring your
mistress, is that fulfilling your oath? I repeat it, Kachef
Youssouf, you will leave my house, and repair at once to the camp of
Osman Bey Bardissi."
"That is to say, O mistress, you intend to drive me from you; you
wish to proclaim to the world that Kachef Youssouf is a faithless
coward!"
"Who dare say that?" cried she, her eyes sparkling with anger.
"Do you not suppose all the world will point their fingers at me
when I return? 'When danger threatened, he deserted his mistress,' I
already hear them say; 'he saved himself, and left her to face the
danger alone.'"
"If any one should dare to speak thus, I should say, it was I who
sent you away. Go, now, Kachef Youssouf. Too many words have already
passed between us; it is time you obeyed my command."
"Well, then, mistress, you command me to go, and I will go. What do
you care, though you inflict profound anguish on a faithful servant,
though his heart break? What do you care, though my whole future be
made miserable? Like a heavenly vision, you float high above all
human anguish and torment; they do not touch your heart.
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