French and Oriental Love in a Harem
Page 26"Oh! carry me too," she cried.
As I was holding her over the brook, one of her slippers fell into the
water. You may guess how they laughed; there was Kondjé-Gul hopping
about on one foot while I was fishing out the little sandal, which I had
to dry in order to avoid wetting her soft green-silk stocking.
It was one of the most charming spots in the park: a great carpet of
turf shaded by a clump of sycamores. We all sat down....
You have, doubtless, seen plenty of pictures on the subject of "Dreams
of Happiness." There is a delightful garden, at the bottom of which
young women, are always found reclining. Well, if you exclude from such
a picture details somewhat too academic for Férouzat, you may see me on
the grass, enjoying the fresh air with my houris lying down around me,
in the charming abandoned attitudes of young nymphs who have never heard
of such a thing as stays, but display in bold relief the well-rounded
forms of their beautiful and lissom figures.
I had passed my arm round Zouhra's neck; she, with a fond look, rested
her head against me, and Hadidjé imitated her on the other side. I began
how curious I was to learn their thoughts. I questioned her about the
events of the morning, and what they had been saying to each other.
Directly she replied, I learnt that when they first got up there was, as
the result of their mutual confidences, a general astonishment. But
Mohammed explained everything, by telling them that "such is the custom
in the French harems." This explanation was sufficient for them. You may
be sure I did not contradict such a flattering assurance.
"Well then, you like my country," I said to her; "and they are all
"Oh, yes!" she exclaimed, "especially since we saw you! Mohammed had led
us to believe that you were old. We feared we were about to enter upon a
dull and formal existence. So you may imagine how delighted we were when
you arrived, and he told us our master was you! At first we could not
believe it, but as he had let us appear unveiled, we were constrained to
admit that he had not deceived us. And then, when I heard you speak to
him--I understood all. Immediately I repeated to them your words, and
how that you found us handsome."