human
Not long after Manöel came to stay in Djazerta, disguised as a wandering beggar of Touggourt, my father told me what was in his mind. I feel sure Aunt Mabrouka suspected from my happier looks that I was hearing from Manöel, for she persuaded my father that I was ill. She shut me up and gave me medicine; and I was so afraid Manöel might be discovered and murdered, that I sent him word to go away at once, not even to write me again. He obeyed for my sake, not knowing what might happen to me if he refused, but by word of mouth came the message that he would always be working for our happiness. Well I guessed what he meant! Yet when my father told me about Tahar, all my faith in Manöel could not keep me brave. My father is splendid, but he will stop at nothing with those who go against him. At first he said I must be married when I was sixteen, but I reminded him that seventeen was my mother's age when he took her; and I begged him, for luck,
gpt
Unless what?
human
Unless you can manage to help me. _Would_ you, if you could?
gpt
Yes, answered the other girl, without hesitating.
human
I'm a guest in the Agha's house, and I've eaten his salt, so it's hateful to work against him. But, some day, surely he'll be thankful to a friend who saves you from Si Tahar. I'll do anything I can. Yet I'm only a girl like yourself. What is there I _can_ do? Have you thought?
gpt
echoed Ourïeda.
human
I have thought of nothing else, for weeks and weeks, long before you came. I begged my father to find me a companion of my own age, not an Arab girl, but a European, to teach me things and make me clever like my mother. He believed I was pining with ennui; and because he had put real happiness out of my life, he was willing to console me as well as he could in some easy way. In spite of Aunt Mabrouka, who may have guessed what was in my mind, he trusts you completely, because you are your father's daughter.
gpt
Ah, that's the dreadful part! To betray such a trust!
human
But after all, I am going to ask so little of you, not a hard thing at all, Ourïeda pleaded, frightened at the effect of her own words.
gpt
It is a thing only a trusted guest, a woman of the Roumia, could possibly do, yet it's very simple. And when the time comes to do it, you need only shut your eyes.
human
Tell me what you mean,
gpt
Every letter you write--not to your father, because he might ask questions, but to a friend--leave the envelope open, and turn your back, or go out of the room. Then don't look into the letter again, or notice if it seems thicker than before, but fasten it up tightly and seal the envelope with wax. Will you do that?
human
Yes, said Sanda, rather miserably.
gpt
To save you I will do that.
human
You have friends in France who would post a letter if they found it enclosed in one of yours, without explanations?
gpt
I have friends who would do that, perhaps, but to make it more sure I will explain. It would not save my conscience to let you slip a letter into an open envelope, and pretend to myself that I knew nothing about it; because I _would_ know, and I think I'd almost rather be hypocritical with other people than with myself.
human
I told you, exclaimed Ourïeda,
gpt
I love you, or I shouldn't have promised what I have just promised now,
human
But if there were still more--something harder and more dangerous--would you love me enough to do that thing too?
gpt
Do you mean something in particular that you have in your mind, or----
human
Yes, oh, yes! I mean something in particular.
gpt
Will you tell me what it is?
human
I am half afraid.
gpt
Don't be afraid. Tell me!
human
Hush! whispered Ourïeda.
gpt
Don't you hear some one on the stairs--coming up softly? I must tell you another time. Laugh! Laugh out aloud! Call to the doves!