The next moment the boat put off, and the captain and his men returned to the vessel. The gig remained alongside, however.
The girls continued together in the gallery an hour or more. Amasia was seated, leaning her elbows upon the balustrade, and was gazing anxiously towards the headland indicated by Yarhud, for at that point the carriage would be visible for a moment. Nedjeb also eagerly watched the place.
After the lapse of an hour or so, the Zingara exclaimed, "Ah! see, look yonder. Do you not perceive a carriage on the road? There, on the summit of the cliff."
"Yes, yes," replied Amasia. "That is their chaise. 'Tis he! 'tis he!"
"He cannot see you," said Nedjeb.
"What matter?" replied Amasia; "I know he is looking at me."
"No doubt of it, dear lady. His eyes will discern the villa, and perhaps ourselves."
"Au revoir, my Ahmet; au revoir!" cried Amasia, as if the occupants of the carriage could have heard her farewell.
Amasia and Nedjeb quitted the gallery, and, as soon as the chaise had disappeared, they retired to the interior of the house.
Yarhud from the deck of his vessel perceived them departing, and gave orders to the men to watch for their return, as the evening approached. Then he arranged his plan, to gain by force what he could not effect by stratagem.
There was no such question of immediate hurry in the execution of the deed he proposed, since the marriage could not take place for six weeks, as Ahmet had gone away. Yet the impatience of Seigneur Saffar had to be considered, as well as his speedy return to Trebizond. Added to these impulses, the navigation of the Black Sea by a small sailing vessel, which might be retarded by calms or contrary winds, had to be taken into consideration, and fifteen or twenty days might be thus lost. On all accounts, therefore, Yarhud felt obliged to sail at the earliest possible moment, if he would arrive at the time agreed upon with Scarpante. Yarhud was, no doubt, a rogue, but he was a
