Hafsa Pasha lighted his cigarette and eyed her attentively.
“I have been told that the price Bilmah demands is exorbitant. Still, under certain circumstances you might be worth it to me.”
“What are the circumstances?”
He shrugged his shoulders.
“If I purchase you you will be mine to do as I command.”
“Of course.”
“Possibly I have somewhere another English-speaking maiden who rebels against my authority and refuses to bow unto me.”
“Another?” laughed the girl behind her fan. “You must be fond of the English.”
“Were I to purchase you, I should expect you to become without delay the companion of this other girl. I should expect you to exert your influence upon her to lead her to submit to her lot.”
“I see nothing very hard in that.”