Upon this reasoning of mine, which I thought would seem decisive to her,

the Circassian reflected for a moment as if embarrassed as to how she

should answer me. But suddenly, just when I thought she was convinced,

she said: "All that you have said would be very true, if we were in Turkey; but

you know better than I do that in your country, your religion does not

permit you to have more than one wife."

"But," I exclaimed, more astounded than ever at her language, "do you

suppose, then, that Kondjé-Gul could ever doubt my honour or my

fidelity?"

"My daughter is a child, and believes everything," she continued. "But,

for my own part, I have consulted a lawyer, and have been informed that

according to your law she has become as free as a Frenchwoman, and has

lost all her rights as cadine which she would have enjoyed in our

country. Moreover I am informed that you can abandon her without her

being able to claim any compensation from you."

I was struck dumb by this bold language and the expression with which it

was accompanied. This was no longer the apathetic Oriental woman whose

obedience I thought I commanded like a master. I had before me another

woman whose expression was thoughtful and decided--I understood it all.

"While informing you that your daughter is free," I said, changing my

own tone of voice, "this lawyer no doubt informed you also, that you

could marry her to Count Kiusko?"

"Oh, I knew that before!" she replied, smiling.

"So you have been deceiving me these two months past, by leaving me to

believe that you had answered him with a refusal?"

"It was certainly necessary to prevent you from telling him what he now

knows.--The silly girl told him everything yesterday."

"How do you know that?"

I saw her face redden.

"I know it. That's enough!" she replied defiantly.

Feeling certain that Kondjé-Gul had not told her anything of the

incident of the day before, I divined that she had just left Kiusko's,

where she had been, no doubt, during our interview.

"May I ask you, then, what you propose to do, now that Count Kiusko

knows everything?" I continued, controlling my anger.

"I shall do what my daughter's happiness impels me to do. You cannot

marry her without being obliged to give up your uncle's fortune. If

Count Kiusko should persist in wishing to make her his wife, knowing all

the circumstances that he now does, you can understand that I, as her

mother, could not but approve of a marriage which would assure her such

a rich future."




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