Page:A child of the Orient (IA childoforient00vakarich).pdf/185

 wanted very much to see your garden—and you."

"Why?"

"For many reasons," I answered diplomatically.

"Give them to me."

"W-e-l-l, you have lived here for years now, without ever leaving the place."

"I don't know of anyone in Pantich who ever does leave it."

"Y-e-s, I know; but you are different."

She leaned over me with the look of a severe fairy in her large dark eyes.

"You just tell me why you wished to see me."

"All the truth?" I asked.

"All the truth."

"Well, for the romance which surrounds you. You left Nouri Pasha and his beautiful houses to come and live here, in this very old house, in a place where nothing ever happens. Besides I imagined you to be very beautiful."

"And do you find me as beautiful as you thought me?"

"I don't know. All I can think of when I look at you is—a fountain"

"To call me a fountain is almost like a wicked jest," she interrupted. "A fountain gives constantly forth the riches of its waters."

"But the fountain you remind me of had no waters. It was a big fountain, in the middle of which sat a bronze lady looking exactly like you.