Page:The further side of silence (IA furthersideofsil00clifiala).pdf/391

 fires that were eating out her life. Also, shame, which is as an eternal fetter clamped about the ankles of women, fell from her, and she was aware of a mighty passion for this aged and depraved crea- ture springing up hot and masterful in her breast. Therefore, she ran to him, casting herself at his feet and across his knees, entreating him, with cries and pleadings, to have his will of her. Thus was ac- complished all that he had foretold.

"What say you, Túan? Was not the magic of this accursed Sakai very powerful and marvellous? Even among our own folk, Muhammadan with Muhammadan, no maiden willingly throws herself into the arms of her lover, love she never so dearly; for Allah, in his wisdom, have so fashioned women that they feel shame pressing upon them like an over- whelming burden, which so crushes them and the desire within them that they may not move hand or foot. This hath been prudently ordered, for were there no modesty among women, great trouble would ensue, secing that their passions are greater than the passions of men; and even now, though shame still lingers in the land, there is trouble and to spare of women's making. But, behold, it now befell that Iodoh, a Muhammadan and a virgin, my betrothed, my love, the core of my heart's core, one who was rendered by her beauty the most desirable among women, yielded herself with entreaties to this infidel, this wild man of the woods a Sakai, filthy and diseased praying for his love, and caressing his soot-begrimed hide. Was ever madness or magic