"
"Youssouf," cried she, in tones of such pride and dignity that he
started--" Youssouf, I had supposed until now that I was your
mistress."
"Yes, you were my mistress until this hour; but now you drive me
from you!" cried he in anguish.
"No; wherever you may be you are mine, and must obey me. You are a
free man, and yet I hold you in bonds. In virtue of these bonds I
command you not to seek death, but to seek renown. You are to
return, a Mameluke bey. Thus must he return; thus must Sitta
Nefysseh see him appear on her threshold, and then--And now," she
quickly interrupted herself, "have you heard your mistress's
command? You will not seek death? You swear to me that you will
fight like a true soldier for fatherland and glory, and that you
will not seek death? The brave do not fear death, neither do they
seek it. The despairing seek death, and thereby invoke upon
themselves the curse of Allah for all time. Swear to me that you
will fight like a hero, and yet hold your life sacred. I, Sitta
Nefysseh, your mistress, command you to do so!"
"And I will obey my mistress's command! I swear that I will struggle
against my despair. I swear that I will live, to do your bidding
now, and to return to hear from your lips, perhaps, a kindly word of
approval. You shall be pleased with me. I will fight as beseems your
servant. O Sitta Nefysseh, you are not cruel in sending me away; you
are only wise and thoughtful, not cold and hard of heart, are you?
You view the world with composure and wisdom.
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