Their
destination was at last reached, and the gates of the citadel closed
behind them. The people who had accompanied the carriage remained
without, yelling and shrieking: "Sitta Nefysseh is imprisoned--let
us liberate her!"
Sitta Nefysseh had left her carriage, and was now following the
cadi, who walked in advance. Behind her came the two women, followed
by the officers. Thus the procession moved in profound silence up
the broad stairway and into the grand reception saloon.
"Be kind enough to wait here a moment," said the cadi.
He walked into the neat apartment. Sitta Nefysseh, who had again
covered her face with her veil, stood proudly erect in the midst of
the saloon. The two weeping women stepped nearer to their mistress,
and asked if danger threatened her, and begged to be permitted to
accompany her everywhere.
"Be still!" said Sitta, in low tones. "Shed no tears. These men must
not have the satisfaction of seeing us appear cowardly and weak."
The cadi now returned and stood at the threshold, holding the velvet
curtain aside.
"Be kind enough to enter, Sitta Nefysseh."
"Not alone. My women will accompany me."
"No, they are to remain here. You alone are to enter. The women will
await your return here."
Sitta Nefysseh walked proudly into the next apartment. The curtain
fell back behind her. Cousrouf, who lay stretched out on his silken
cushions, smoking his chibouque, looked up at her through the clouds
of smoke that enveloped him as she entered the room.
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