You will ever remain my friend."
Yes, that was the word. She closes her eyes and shudders.
"'Tis well. Your friend, Mohammed! I will not, however, honor you as
my friend, but as my lord, and as the man I have loved alone and
best on earth!"
He gently encircles her neck with his arm, and impresses a kiss on
her forehead. Such a kiss as makes the heart of the woman who loves
writhe in anguish.
Now he begins to speak to her, in gay tones, of his handsome, manly
sons.
"They shall come to greet their mother; they are waiting in the next
room."
He walks hastily to the door, opens it, and the three boys enter,
each holding a small package wrapped in paper in his hand.
"What do you bring me, boys!" asks Mohammed, seating himself on a
divan, and calling them to his side.
"What do we bring you, father?" says the eldest, Ibrahim. "We have
brought you keepsakes from Cavalla, and with them we wish to show
you that we have learned something, and have endeavored to imitate
you. The merchant, Lion, has often told me how daring a boatman you
were, and I determined to learn to manage a boat and defy the
treacherous waves, also."
The viceroy regards his son with a radiant smile. The boy's
sparkling eyes gladden his heart and inspires it with high hopes.
"I rejoice in you, Ibrahim, and expect you to become a hero," cries
Mohammed. "Continue.
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