ul, who remained in stoic seclusion, left no doubt in their
minds that she was in complete disgrace and would certainly be sent
away. I even gathered that the silly creature had shown Nazli some blue
marks which she had made on her own skin, and told her that I had beaten
her! Hadidje, rather proud of her wound, continued to give herself
interesting airs as the principal heroine of this terrible tragedy. As
it was in reality merely a scratch, which hurt her very little, her only
object in complaining was to emphasize her caprices. After the stormy
days we had just gone through, this morning passed like an idyl. Their
spirits were all harmonious; and I left them firmly convinced that from
the way I performed my great act of justice they had no longer anything
to fear at the hands of a rival.

Satisfied at this termination of the incident, which had caused me no
small anxiety, I was returning to the chateau, when lo and behold! as I
was passing the bushes, who should appear but Kondje-Gul, who ran up and
threw herself into my arms.

"How's this?" I said to her; "you here!"

"Yes, dear; I wanted to see you and kiss you," she exclaimed, bounding
with joy like a child; "and to hear you tell me that you love me still!"

"You mad creature, suppose anyone were to see you!"

"All right!" she replied; "I jumped down from my window, for they think
I am a prisoner there. I slipped under the verandah, so as not to be
noticed by Mohammed, and came here to wait for you. Now, don't scold me.
Now that I have seen you I am going back, for fear I should rouse the
suspicion of your _wives_. Tell me if I'm not clever!"

Then, just as she was running away again, she added in a little tone of
importance,

"And mind _you're_ careful too!"

Eight days have passed since the dramatic events, of which I have
related to you the singular termination. Here I am involved in a regular
conspiracy of deceit; I have a secret intrigue with one of my wives.
Kondje-Gul plays her part of estrangement in a most curious fashion,
with an affectation of melancholy, combined with haughtiness, and the
silly creature is delighted with her efforts. After two or three days of
seclusion, she reappeared, talked cynically of her approaching
departure, and rejoiced over it. We treat each other like spouses
definitely divorced from each other, who are nevertheless paying each
other, as well-bred people should do, a final tribute of strict
politeness after the ir