When the time arrived, however, for putting my plan into execution, I
must confess that I could not help feeling considerable embarrassment. I
could certainly have introduced Kondjé-Gul as a young foreign lady,
prematurely widowed, who was anxious to qualify herself for French
society; but I soon found that this would create an unnecessary
complication. Decidedly the better course would be for Mahommed to
introduce her either as his ward or his daughter. Under any
circumstances it was desirable that I should explain to her the
necessity of extreme prudence.
At last, one evening, when I thought she was about to revert to this
great object of her ambition, I started the subject myself.
"I am going to announce an important piece of news," I said to her; "I
have found a convent for you where you can stay pending your mother's
arrival."
"Really!" she exclaimed, kissing me. "Oh, my dear André, how kind you
are!"
"Yes; but I must warn you. This realisation of your dream is only
possible at the cost of sacrifices, which will perhaps be hard for you
to make."
"What sacrifices? Tell me, quick!"
"First, assiduous work, and next, the sacrifice of your liberty; for
during the whole time you remain at this establishment, you won't be
able to leave the place."
"What does that matter?" she exclaimed, "provided I can see you every
day!"
"But that's exactly what will be impossible."
"Why?" she asked, in her simplicity.
"Because, according to our customs, bachelors are never admitted into
young ladies' schools," I replied, with a laugh.
"But as I belong to you," she continued, with an astonished look, "they
will not be surprised at your coming; are not you my master?"
"This reason, my dear, although a convincing one for you, would
constitute the greatest obstacle; for they must not be allowed on any
account to suspect that you are my wife. Mohammed alone will introduce
you either as his daughter or as a young lady under his charge, and, for
conventional reasons, which you will understand later on, this period of
study will be a period of separation for us."
I then let her know the whole truth about certain of our social
conventionalities, concerning which she was still in ignorance. When she
learned that our laws declared her free, and the equal of any
Frenchwoman, and that I had no longer any rights over her, she looked
inexpressibly pained.