I am not alarmed; my
conscience does not accuse me. My carriage is ready--let us go. I
trust, however, that the viceroy does not require me to appear
before him alone; it is becoming that Mourad's Bey's widow should be
accompanied by her women when she goes out."
"I am not instructed to refuse such a request; yet, there must not
be more of them than your carriage will contain."
"Two of my servants will accompany me," said she. Without once
looking back into the room, or manifesting any fear or anxiety
whatever, she stepped out into the vestibule, and, beckoning to two
of the weeping women who had assembled about her, commanded them to
follow her. "You others need fear nothing," said she with perfect
composure. "The cadi leaves his guards here to protect you, against
whom I know not, but certainly against someone." Taking leave of her
servants with a kindly nod, and drawing her veil more closely about
her, she walked proudly out into the court-yard to the carriage.
Almost ashamed of his errand, the cadi followed and assisted her in
entering the carriage, closing the door after her. The carriage
drove off rapidly, accompanied by the cadi and his officers, while
another body of men remained in charge of the house.
Sitta Nefysseh leaned back against the cushions while the carriage
rolled through the streets, her thoughts far distant from her
present surroundings.
Pages:
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
526
527
528
529
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537
538
539
540
541
542
543