You find that Kachef
Youssouf should no longer remain here in ease and inactivity, and
you send him from you for his own sake. This is kind and noble on
your part, and I should thank you for sending me away to perform
deeds of valor, and return a Mameluke bey. This is magnanimous of
you, and it was only my miserable weakness that prevented me from
recognizing it, and sent foolish tears to my eyes."
He covered his face with his hands, and his head fell upon his
breast. Sitta Nefysseh gazed at him intently; he did not see the
expression of anguish that rested on her features. When he removed
his hands from his face, she had averted her gaze, and her
countenance was composed.
"Forgive me, mistress," said he, "I was a fool once more; I thought
of the past, and wept over it. But I am now reconciled, and ready to
go. I will do as you say; I will not seek death, but I will thank
Allah if he allows it to find me. Farewell, mistress!" He fell on
his knees and kissed the hem of her dress. He then stood up and
rushed out of the room without looking at her again.
Sitta Nefysseh looked after him with outstretched arms, and the
flood of tears which she had so long restrained burst from her eyes.
"I love him, O Allah! Thou knowest that I love him! Let him return a
hero covered with glory, and then, O Allah, graciously grant that I
may be able to reward him for all his love, and for all the pain I
have caused him! Let Kachef Youssouf return as Youssouf the Mameluke
bey, and I shall be blessed; as the master of my life will I accept
him, for I love him.
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