Not that I am
jealous of her. I have not seen her face, but I know she is already old,
and if she were not friendless in our land, the Sidi would have put her
away at the time of my marriage to him, since long ago he has ceased to
care whether she lives or dies. But his heart is great, and he has kept
her under his roof for kindness' sake, though she has given him no
child, and is no longer a wife to him. I alone fill his life."
She paused, hoping perhaps that Victoria would answer; but the girl was
silent, biting her lip, her eyes cast down. So Miluda talked on, more
quietly.
"There is a wise woman in the city, who brings me perfumes and silks
which have come to Oued Tolga by caravan from Tunis. She has told me
that thy sister has ill-wished me, and that I shall never have a boy--a
real child--while Lella Saida breathes the same air with me. That is the
reason I want her to be gone. I will not help thee to go, unless thou
takest her with thee."
"I will never, never leave this place unless we go together," Victoria
answered, deeply interested and excited now.
"That is well. And if she loves thee also, she would not go alone; so my
wish is to do what I can for both."
"What canst thou do?" the girl asked.
"I will tell thee. But first there is something to make clear. I was on
my roof to-day, when a young Roumi rode up to the Zaouia on the road
from Oued Tolga. He looked towards the roofs, and I wondered.
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