cushions of the window, Sinan put
his arm round her waist, and said, 'For a good and happy marriage, my
Gulzareen, it is well that the woman should not love her husband too
much, but rather be meek, show obedience to his desires, and alacrity,
and give courtesy. The man must love her, and honour that in her which
makes her worth, her beauty, to wit, the bounty of her fruitfulness, and
her discretion. But for her it is enough that she suffer herself to be
loved, and give him her duty in return. The love that seeds in her she
shall bestow upon her children. That is how peace of mind grows in the
world, and happiness, for without the first there can never be the
second. You, my child, have a peaceful mind: is it not so?'

'My lord,' Jehane replied, with no sign of the old discontent upon her
red mouth, 'I am at peace. For I have your affection; you tell me that I
deserve it. And I give my children love.'

'And you are happy, Jehane?'

She sighed, ever so lightly. 'I should be happy, my lord. But sometimes,
even now, I think of King Richard, and pray for him.'

'I believe that you do,' said the Old Man. 'And because I desire your
happiness in all things, I desire you to see him again.'

A bright blush flooded Jehane, whose breath also became a trouble. By a
quick movement she drew her veil about her, lest he should see her
unquiet breast. So the mother of Proserpine might have been startled
into new maidenhood when, in her wanderings, some herd had claimed her
in love. Her husband watched her keenly, not unkindly. Jehane's trouble
increased; he left her alone to fight it. So at last she did; then
touched his hand, looking deeply into his face. He, loving her greatly,
held her close.

'Well, Joy of my Joy?'

'Lord,' she said, speaking hurriedly and low, 'let me not see him, ask
it not of me. It is more than I dare. It is more than would be right; I
ask it for his sake, not for mine. For he has a great heart, the
greatest heart that ever man had in the world; also he is sudden to
change, as I know very well; and the sight of me denied him might move
him to a desperate act, as once before it did.' She lowered her head
lest he should see all she had to show. He smiled gravely, stroking her
hand and playing with it, up and down.

'No, child, no,' he said, 'it will do you no harm now. The harm, I take
it, has been done: soon it will be ended. You shall hear from his own
lips that he will not hurt you.'

Jehane looked