Now do with me as you think
proper, Cousrouf. This I will, however, repeat, my kachef Youssouf
did not write the characters on that paper. He is not capable of
corrupting men from their allegiance. Do you desire my life? If so,
take it! But if you venture to do so, prepare yourself to meet all
Cairo in insurrection. Allah is just! You will then see all Cairo,
held by you in fetters until now, rise up and burst its bonds, and
shake its mane in lion-like wrath."
"We shall see if our lion really rises in its wrath, when I, as I am
in duty bound, do justice to those who have done wrong and committed
crimes!"
He arose from his divan, stepped to the door, and called one of his
servants. In answer to his call, a servant hastened into the room.
"Conduct Sitta Nefysseh to the house of Sheik Hesseyni, who lives in
the old citadel; tell him to guard her well, and not to allow any
one to see her."
"Tell him, cadi," said Nefysseh, quietly, "tell him to guard me as
every jailor guards his prisoner; that is the true meaning of the
viceroy's words. Farewell, Cousrouf--I am going to my prison! May
your conscience reproach you as little as mine does me! Farewell!"
She drew her veil over her countenance, and slowly left the
apartment. At the door sat her two women weeping and sobbing. She
commanded them to follow her, and walked on as composedly as if she
were the princess of this palace.
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