All this may appear absurd to you. I daresay you are right, but I am

only analysing for you an enchantment which still influences me like a

dream. While longing for the virginal delights which awaited me, my

tumultuous senses were plunged into certain apprehensions at once

anxious and sweet. How am I to explain it to you? Sultan though I have

been in my life, never before have I come in for such a delightful

windfall of pleasures, my heart having been generally occupied, as you

know, with much less worthy objects. All at once I was overwhelmed by

the idea that they had doubtless misunderstood the reserve which I had

affected in their company. According to their harem traditions, customs,

and laws, I was their legitimate master and husband: was it not quite

likely, then, that they believed me indifferent or even disdainful of

their charms? Troubled at this reflection, I was seized with a dreadful

pang of conscience. What could they suppose? Good heavens! Ought I to

wait till the next day to dissipate their doubts, and justify myself for

such strange coldness--coldness which may have seemed like

indifference? I had no sooner conceived this thought than my desire

concentrated itself upon one object, to see Kondjé-Gul again.

I knew all the domestic arrangements of El Nouzha. In the centre of the

edifice is a vast circular hall, to which the daylight is admitted by a

cupola of ground glass, supported by pillars of white marble. Lamps

hanging between the pillars give out a mysterious light. Once arrived

there, I listened. All was silent. I found Kondjé-Gul's chamber, and

went close up to it. I listened again, with my ear to the door. An

indistinct rustling which I heard, apprized me that she was not yet in

bed. With key in hand, I still hesitated before opening. At last I made

up my mind.

Picture to yourself a sweetly perfumed room, both rich and coquettish in

its arrangements, lined with Indian silk hangings of gay colours, and

illumined by the soft light of a small chandelier of three branches. In

front of a large glass Kondjé-Gul was seated, her long hair reaching

down to the floor. With her bare arms uplifted, and her head turned

backwards, she held in her hand a golden comb. Seeing me, she uttered a

little cry, got up with a bound, and blushing all the while, and fixing

upon me her great frightened eyes, she rested motionless and almost in a

tremble. Her agitation communicated itself to me.

"Did I frighten you?" I commenced, trying to speak with a firm voice;

"and will you pardon me for coming in like this?"




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