Page:Kéraban the Inflexible Part 1 (Jules Verne).djvu/103

Rh "Yes, we promised when Ahmet was here," replied Amasia. "But he has gone away, and it is no longer fitting for us to go op board the Guidare."

The captain frowned, but he quickly recovered himself, and replied calmly,—

"The Guidare cannot remain here long; and I must sail to-morrow, or the day after at the latest. If the lady wishes to inspect my stock, and to purchase any of the goods, she must do so without delay, and take advantage of the opportunity now. My boat lies yonder, and we can be on board in a few minutes."

"We thank you, captain," replied Amasia coldly, "but I have no taste for such excursions in Seigneur Ahmet's absence. He must accompany us in our visit to the Guidare: he must assist us in our selection. He is no longer here, and I cannot, I will not, go without him."

"I am sorry for that," replied Yarhud; "and all the more because, no doubt, Seigneur Ahmet will be agreeably surprised on his return to find you have made the purchases you wished. The opportunity will not occur again, and you will regret the loss of it."

"That is possible, captain,” replied Nedjeb; "but at this moment I think you would do better not to press the point."

"Be it so," replied Yarhud, bowing. "In any case, let me hope that, if, a few weeks hence, the chances of trade compel me to remain at Odessa, you will not forget the promise you have made, to honour me with a visit."

"We will not forget it, captain," said Amasia, as she signed to the Maltese to retire.

Yarhud saluted the girls and advanced some paces towards the terrace, when suddenly he stopped, as if an idea had just occurred to him, and, approaching Amasia, as she was about to quit the verandah, he said,—

"One word more—or rather let me offer a suggestion which cannot fail to be agreeable to the fiancée of the Seigneur Ahmet."

"What is the man worrying about?" exclaimed Amasia, who was somewhat impatient of the captain's persistency in intruding himself and his opinions at the villa.