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"Youssouf Bey," said she, "you cannot remain with me, and though it may seem hard to you to-day, to-morrow you will confess that it is impossible. Youssouf Bey was not created for such purposes. He is a hero! Without, your men await you. Return to them. Those who imagine that peace has entered the city with you are in error.
You, Youssouf Bey, have, however, remained here, and now I may tell you all, avow all that I feel and have endured and suffered in secret. I may tell you that I love you, and Allah will be merciful and gracious, Youssouf. We are united in love. The seal has fallen from my lips, and they dare proclaim what I feel.
But rise, it does not become the hero to bend the knee before a woman, before Nefyeseh." "I was your slave when I went, now that I have returned I am your slave still. And thus should he salute his mistress." He bends down. lower and kisses the gold-embroidered slipper that clasps her little foot. "Youssouf!" she cried, in severe tones, "I command you to rise from your knees!"
According to the viceroy's instructions, Mohammed Ali is to wait and see if Youssouf Bey does not prove strong enough to vanquish the Mamelukes unaided; if this should prove to be the case, it would not be advisable to lead a splendid army corps into battle unnecessarily. Mohammed Ali, however, well understood the secret meaning of the viceroy's instructions.
"Speak on, Sitta Nefysseh, oh, speak on! What I hear is music! Let me hear this music and be happy! Oh, speak on, Nefysseh!" "What shall I say, Youssouf? The whole meaning of my words is still, I love you, and have long loved you! When Mourad, my husband, died, I vowed over his dead body that I would remain true to him beyond the grave. Do you know why I wished to raise this barrier between us?
Her lips are mute, and her eyes shed nq tsars. Is this a time to weep, when Youssouf Bey is suffering and needs her care and attention? No, at such a time a woman must be strong. She will have time enough for tears and lamentation in her after-life. The fearful gash on his forehead bears silent evidence of this. She has often seen similar wounds, and bound them up herself.
If you wish it, I will call him; a door opens from this house into Sitta Nefysseh's park, and I know where my son is to be found." "Then call him quickly." The old woman hastened away. In a short time she returned with her son Youssouf. "Do you know me?" asked Mohammed, advancing to meet him. "Yes, who does not know the brave sarechsme, Mohammed Ali?" "Do you love your mistress? " asked Mohammed
In the meanwhile the remnant of the defeated army had also returned to Cairo; and Youssouf Bey, who had succeeded in making his escape from the slaughter, repaired, at the very hour when Mohammed entered the city with his troops to the citadel, to the viceroy.
"But, when I have executed your command, then I may return to my mistress with what speed my horse can bear me, may I not?" She remained silent, and let her eyelids, with their long, black lashes, sink down over her beautiful eyes. It seemed to him that a sigh escaped her breast. "No," said she, in a low voice. "No?" shrieked, rather than cried, Youssouf. "I may not return!"
Poor Youssouf, you will then be shut out from our ranks, for Sitta Nefysseh no longer sends her Mamelukes with us to battle; she now uses them for her service only, and I am certain she would be well pleased if her kachef Youssouf, as it becomes him, draws his sword to win laurels in the field. You can make something great of yourself.
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