Marie was smart beyond her class, and knew the newcomer meant her mistress no good. She determined to remain in the hallway, where she would be within call.
“So, my pretty song-bird,” said the visitor, when the door closed behind Marie, “I guess you did not expect to see me so soon?”
“I believed, uncle, you were in Gondar,” said Zulima.
“Your Uncle Ajeeb, you see, could not bear to have you out of his sight.”
“You do not come to drag me back to Abyssinia?”
“Would you not like to go?”
“No.”
“Has this Western world made you forget that the son of our good King John would make you queen of his harem?”
“Did he send you to bring me back?” said Zulima, greatly affrighted at the prospect.
“He is the son of a king.”