A curious expression of untamed obstinacy came to the girlish face and gave it a character beyond its years.
"Lo! Marmita!" she said lightly; "when thou and Afkân's mother have settled whether I be betrothed or no, there may be talk of truth. Till then I marry no one."
Bibi Azîzan subsided helplessly, limply, amongst her cushions. To say more might only induce the enfant terrible, of malicious intent, still further to reveal the family strife; so there was room for Umm Kulsum's tactful raillery.
"What! thou wilt be an old maid like me! And without even a pilgrimage to thy credit! Fie! Thou art too pretty for Jehannum!"
Mihr-un-nissa laughed scornfully. "I would rather Jehannum on my own feet than Paradise on a man's coat-tails. La! la! I hate men folk!"
There was a general gurgle of laughter. The girl's face grew crimson-dark; her eyes filled with tears, yet flashed also and she held her ground.
"'Tis true," she cried, stamping her bare foot with an almost soundless yet curiously imperative smack on the marble floor. "I hate them--they think of nothing but themselves--and--and women! And I hate women too--I want to be a Queen, and I will be one!"
"Come hither, child, and let me look at thee," said Auntie Rosebody, suddenly holding out her hand. The supple young thing crossed to her proudly, and crouching low touched the small fine old fingers with her forehead.
"Thine eyes, child--thine eyes!" said the old woman. "Let me see thy fate in them."
So for an instant's space the great lustrous soft depths of Mihr-un-nissa's fathomless eyes were appraised.