pearance and character of his future partner.

On the second day started, another caravan of camels, laden with the
household goods with which the wealthy Eastern always travels, yet more
caravans following, carrying the wherewithal of the enormous retinue
with which Hahmed the Arab saw fit to surround his bride; the ensuing
days passing in the preparation of the greatest caravan of all, that
which was to take Jill to the place where, steam up, the great white
yacht at the water's edge was waiting.

Hahmed and Jill were on the broad balcony the night before the start,
the Arab lying at the feet of the woman sitting in an ebony chair
covered with cushions of every shade of purple, with the faint haze of
incense about her little head, and the light of a great love in the
softness of her eyes.

Holding the hem of her cloak in his hands he made love to her by words
alone, for in all the time since their first meeting, his hands had not
held hers, neither had their lips met; but the music of his words
served to send the blood surging to her face, then to draw it back to
her heart, leaving her as white as the crescent moon above her.

"Tell me, O! Hahmed," she suddenly exclaimed softly, after a long
silence, "will not your people think it strange that I, a bride, should
have lived these many months with you? Will they _believe_ that I am
pure, will they not think harm of me, throwing your good name in
shadow?"

The man raised himself so that his face was on a level with hers as he
laid one hand upon her chair.

"Woman, I speak not in pride when I say that I, Hahmed the Arabian,
have never sought and never desired the opinion of those about me. I
do as my heart inclineth, let that suffice. Were I a poorer man these
things could not be, but with my wealth I have bought my freedom,
loosening the iron shackles of convention from about my feet with a key
of gold. Wealth can accomplish all things.

"This oasis is mine because I was the only bidder with wealth enough to
pay the exorbitant prices demanded, other oases are mine, and villages
and tracts of rich lands. Also the respect of my neighbours, also are
their tongues tied on account of my riches.

"I live for years without wife, or woman or child, they say no word.

"I marry a Christian and a white woman, and they will say no word; that
she is _my wife_ will suffice them, though doubtless whispers in the
harems will not be all sweet, seeing that for years the qua