At
first I would have refused even to take the message, but her woman,
Hadda, is my cousin, and she feared to go back without some answer. The
Ouled Nail is a demon when in a temper, and she would thrust pins into
Hadda's arms and thighs."
Saidee blushed with anger, disgustful words tingling on her tongue; but
she remained silent, her lips parted.
"Of course I won't go," said Victoria, shocked. The very existence of
Miluda was to her a dreadful mystery upon which she could not bear to
let her mind dwell.
"I'm not sure," Saidee murmured. "Let me think. This means something
very curious, I can't think what. But I should like to know. It can't
make things worse for us if you accept her invitation. It may make them
better. Will you go and see what the creature wants?"
"Oh, Saidee, how can I?"
"Because I ask it," Saidee answered, the girl's opposition deciding her
doubts. "She can't eat you."
"It isn't that I'm afraid----"
"I know! It's because of your loyalty to me. But if I send you, Babe,
you needn't mind. It will be for my sake."
"Hadda is waiting for an answer," Noura hinted.
"My sister will go. Is the woman ready to take her?"
"I will find out, lady."
In a moment the negress came back. "Hadda will lead the Little Rose to
her mistress. She is glad that it is to be now, and not later."
"Be very careful what you say, and forget nothing that _she_ says," was
Saidee's last advice.
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