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Updated: June 24, 2025
I felt that I never had understood what manner of man Morhange was, never. He stood erect before Antinea without seeming to notice her gesture inviting him to be seated. She smiled at him. "You are surprised, perhaps," she said finally, "that I should send for you at so late an hour." Morhange did not move an eyelash. "Have you considered it well?" she demanded.
All night, he sang a sad song of his native country, a song which echoed through the whole mountain. Another, a Spaniard, was as if maddened: he tried to bite. It was necessary to kill him. Many have died of kif, a kif that is more violent than opium. When they no longer have Antinea, they smoke, smoke. Most have died that way ... the happiest. Little Kaine died differently.
This woman, the sultaness, the queen, the absolute sovereign of Ahaggar, is called Antinea. Don't start, M. Morhange, you will soon understand." He opened the book and read this sentence: "'I must warn you before I take up the subject matter: do not be surprised to hear me call the barbarians by Greek names." "What is that book?" stammered Morhange, whose pallor terrified me.
During your captivity, you have expressed only one wish. Do you recall it?" "I asked your permission to see my friend before I died," said Morhange simply. I do not know what stirred me more on hearing these words: delight at Morhange's formal tone in speaking to Antinea, or emotion at hearing the one wish he had expressed.
Morhange, his head held high, went out. Now Antinea is in my arms. This is no haughty, voluptuous woman whom I am pressing to my heart. It is only an unhappy, scorned little girl. So great was her trouble that she showed no surprise when I stepped out beside her. Her head is on my shoulder. Like the crescent moon in the black clouds, I see her clear little bird-like profile amid her mass of hair.
The old woman shook her head. "'She is not afraid that he will escape. The mountain is well guarded. Antinea has only to strike her silver gong; he will be brought back to her immediately. "'But my companion. I have not see him since she sent for him.... "The Negress smiled comprehendingly. "'If you have not seen him, it is because he prefers to remain near her. Antinea does not force him to.
Only, next time, to render so great a queen the honors due her, I shall ask my government to furnish me with two or three hundred European soldiers and several cannon." Antinea was standing up, very pale. "What are you saying?" "I am saying," said Morhange coldly, "that I foresaw this. First threats, then promises." Antinea stepped toward him. He had folded his arms.
And his eyes, fastened upon King Hiram who stared at him maliciously, expressed well enough his desire for a negative reply. "Let him stay since he is here," said Antinea. She tapped nervously on the little silver tray. "What is the captain doing?" she asked. "He dined a while ago and seemed to enjoy his food," the Targa answered. "Has he said nothing?"
"Nothing can give you any idea of the fever I was in from the day when the Hetman of Jitomir told me of his adventures to the day when I found myself in the presence of Antinea. The strangest part was that the thought that I was, in a way, condemned to death, did not enter into this fever.
But Antinea continued calmly: "That is why I sent for you to tell you that you are going to see him again. And I am going to do something else. You will perhaps scorn me even more when you realize that you had only to oppose me to bend me to your will I, who have bent all other wills to mine. But, however that may be, it is decided: I give you both your liberty.
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