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THE intelligence of the capture of Alroy spread through the agitated city. The Moolahs bustled about as if they had received a fresh demonstration of the authenticity of the prophetic mission. All the Dervishes began begging. The men discussed affairs in the coffee-houses, and the women chatted at the fountains.79 |
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‘They may say what they like, but I wish him well,’ said a fair Arab, as she arranged her veil. ‘He may be an impostor, but he was a very handsome one.’ |
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‘All the women are for him, that’s the truth,’ responded a companion; ‘but then we can do him no good.’ |
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‘We can tear their eyes out,’ said a third. |
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‘And what do you think of Alp Arslan, truly?’ inquired a fourth. |
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‘I wish he were a pitcher, and then I could break his neck,’ said a fifth. |
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‘Only think of the Princess!’ said a sixth. |
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‘Well! she has had a glorious time of it,’ said a seventh. |
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‘Nothing was too good for her,’ said an eighth. |
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‘I like true love,’ said a ninth. |
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‘Well! I hope he will be too much for them all yet,’ said a tenth. |
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‘I should not wonder,’ said an eleventh. |
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‘He can’t,’ said a twelfth, ‘he has lost his sceptre.’ |
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‘You don't say so?’ said a thirteenth. |
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‘It is too true,’ said a fourteenth. |
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‘Do you think he was a wizard?’ said a fifteenth. ‘I vow if there be not a fellow looking at us behind those trees.’ |
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‘Impudent scoundrel!’ said a sixteenth. ‘I wish it were Alroy. Let us all scream, and put down our veils.’ |
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And the group ran away. |
