Such protests do not belong to the women of my country; they
are never heard in the _zenana,_ and would provoke derision in the
_harems_ of Stambul.
"You have trained me to know that life in a _harem_ is not life, but
only the existence of an animal."
"I have trained you--yes. What fate was before you when I intervened
in that Mecca slave-market? You who are 'only in part of the East.'
Do you forget so soon how you cowered there amongst the others, Arabs,
Circassians, Georgians, Nubians, striving to veil your beauty from
those ravenous eyes? From _what_ did I rescue you?"
"And _for_ what?" cried Miska bitterly. "To use me as a lure--and beat
me if I failed."
Fo-Hi stood watching her, and slowly, as he watched, terror grew upon
her and she retreated before him, step by step. He made no attempt to
follow her, but continued to watch. Then, raising the whip he broke
it across his knee and dropped the pieces on the floor.
At that she extended her hands towards him pitifully.
"Oh! what are you going to do to me!" she said. "Let me go! let me go!
I can no more be of use to you. Give me back my life and let me go--
et me go and hide away from them all--from all ... the world...."
Her words died away and ceased upon a suppressed hysterical sob. For,
in silence, Fo-Hi stood watching her, unmoved.
"Oh!" she moaned, and sank cowering upon a _diwan--_ "why do you watch
me so!"
"Because," came the metallic voice, softly--"you are beautiful with a
beauty given but rarely to the daughters of men.
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