my bosom was constricted, so that I no longer had the power of peace. In the afternoon, I rose, and taking with me a considerable sum of money, visited a jeweler, where I purchased an asawir bracelet studded with diamonds of great price.
I had resolved to deliver this valuable present in person, but passing my shop on the way, I looked within and was overjoyed to see the familiar figure of the Lady Salamah's slave-woman, evidently awaiting my return.
After I entered, and we had exchanged greetings, I led her into the rear room, anxious to hear what she would have co say.
"My mistress," she said, "sends you the peace, and the wish that Allah may increase your prosperity because of your great thoughtfulness and generosity. She has directed me to inform you that she will accept your offer under certain conditions."
"And what may be the conditions?" I inquired.
"They have to do with her safety, comfort and dignity," she said.
"Then I accede without further question."
"But wait," continued the old slave. "You may find them difficult."
"Well, name them," I said.
"My lady will not be married except in a manner befitting her station in life."
"That can be arranged," I answered.
"But not here in Jerusalem. Remember the question of my lady's safety. A secret marriage she will not have, but a wedding suited to her position would instantly be known over the entire city, and her cousin the sheik would learn of it and come for his vengeance."
"Then how can it be consummated?" "By marrying elsewhere. Her desire, in brief, is this: that you sell all your possessions here, and take her to Damascus, where the ceremony will be performed. Only thus can you hope to escape the wrath of her war-like cousin. You can then set up a new business in Damascus without fear of being molested."
"But how travel in secret to Damascus?"
"Can you not get camels, and a litter?"
"But if we join a caravan the news will travel back to the sheik, and he will follow us, even to Damascus; so it were as well to stay here and have it out with him."
"Are you then afraid to fare forth with my mistress and me, you and your two slaves? If she puts her trust in your strength and bravery to protea her from the Harami, are you yourself fearful of them? Are you less brave than a woman? Fie upon you! I will go back and tell my lady you are afraid."
"Stay, and be not so ready to judge me before I have spoken. I am not afraid for myself—only for the danger which she might run. If it is her desire to go, her will is my will. Tell her I will be glad to do all she asks, and only await her final word. Pray convey to her this asawir, a slight symbol of my affeaion, tendered with the hope that she may consider it a token of our pledged troth."
"I go, and will return the answer of my mistress in the morning. . . ."
In the morning, the old woman returned,
according to her word, and
told me that her mistress would be ready
to go with me in a week, that in the
meantime she would dispose of her property,
except such as might be taken with
us. She also told me that her lady did
not wish to put me to unnecessary expense
and would therefore be willing to
ride in an ordinary shugduf, or one-camel
litter, but she added that if I wished to
show true affeaion I would provide a
takht-rawan with two camels of easy gait
