I will not try to depict for you the state of excitement in which I
found my sultanas, nor the accounts which they had to give me themselves
of this great event. Their sanguine imaginations were already occupied
by the absolute necessity, as they deemed it, of returning my aunt's
call. Her kindness had very naturally charmed them to the point of
believing that no obstacle could arise to hinder the continuance of
friendly relations so well inaugurated. They went on chattering all the
evening about the incidents of this lucky and delightful event, taking
particular pleasure in repeating before Koudjé-Gul who had been absent
(and whom they confidently hoped to exclude from their new relations),
all the kind things which the pasha's wife had said to them. It was
certainly a splendid revenge upon their rival for that evening escapade
which she had boasted so much about.
Poor Kondjé-Gul, disappointed as she was already at having had no share
in this unexpected treat, listened without a word, her sad eyes
questioning me all the time. I reassured her with a nod, letting the
silly creatures prattle away in their glee, and amuse themselves with
sanguine projects of such a revolutionary character that it would have
been impossible to discuss them.
I began to consider for myself the best way to cut short these
unforeseen complications. Although I was out of danger for the present,
the veil which concealed the secrets of El-Nouzha was only supported by
a thread. My aunt was not the woman to remain long deceived, and with
her quick mind, the slightest imprudent word, the slightest clue, would
suffice to arouse her suspicions. I did not even feel sure but what my
aunt, impelled by her curiosity, might be only too eager to exchange
visits with His Excellency's daughters, and the very thought of this was
enough to make me tremble.
The result of my cogitations was a resolve to take decisive measures for
putting a stop to such extremely delicate and critical complications as
I apprehended. It might, indeed, have been possible for me, while
carefully mystifying every one, to have continued unabashed my oriental
pursuits and avocations under the secure shelter of the walls of
El-Nouzha. They represented, after all, nothing worse than one of those
intrigues in the neighbourhood with which my aunt had herself credited
me, but after this visit to the Kasre which had brought her into contact
with my houris, the most ordinary respect for the proprieties required
me to prevent such conjunctures from recurring. Moreover, our time at
Férouzat was drawing to a close, for we were to spend the winter in
Paris. I therefore determined to anticipate our departure, and to remove
my harem immediately. Once lost in the crowd and din of Paris, my secret
would be safe.