island, but instead of going home I would spend the day at my cousin's, at the other end of the island, and arrive home on the following day, as my mother had requested.
Thereupon, in pursuit of this comfortable arrangement, on entering the boat, instead of making my way to the first class deck, where men and Christian women sit together, I betook myself to one of those private little rooms which exist on the Mahshousettes boats exclusively for the convenience of aristocratic Turkish ladies. By secluding myself in one of these I effectually avoided the risk of recognition and report.
I opened the door of one. The cabin was in semi-obscurity, and occupied by three veiled ladies. However, as the place could accommodate four, I entered. It was their privilege to ask me to depart, if they did not care for the company of an unbeliever. I sat down and waited to see if they would use their prerogative. To my surprise a lithe young woman rose hastily and stood before me. Her two slender and tightly gloved hands grasped my shoulders, and a pair of fine eyes peered into mine.
"Why, little Thunderstorm!"
A feredjé enveloped me and my lips came into close contact with the filmly yashmak of Chakendé of the Timur-Lang. It was indeed delightful to fall in thus with her. We had before us an hour and a half's sail with no one to disturb us; for
