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 since she left the house against my orders. She loves the boy, and she will agree. Now is the time to put an end to her coquettishness."

Whatever satisfaction Sendi Bey and the absent, rebellious Semmeya Hanoum might find in the situation, for me it was rather uncomfortable. I was not able to go even into the garden, and ate a solitary luncheon and then dinner, all the slaves being at their posts to prevent any entry or egress. After finishing my novel, I was just preparing to go to bed when a slave came to me.

"My master would like to see you downstairs if you will be so good," she said.

There was no one in the parlour when I arrived there, but presently the master came in from the selamlik.

"What can I do for you?" he asked.

"Why, nothing," I replied. "I am perfectly comfortable, although the situation is not."

He looked at me with a puzzled air.

"Why did you send for me?"

"I didn't. I was told that you wished to see me."

"There must be some mistake," he said, and pulled the velvet rope of the bell. As if in answer to the ring, in sauntered Semmeya Hanoum, as cool as a cucumber, cigarette in hand, and apparently just back from her expedition, since she was still in outdoor dress.