CHAPTER VI.
Kondjé-Gul was shut up in her room; I found her sitting on her bed, which was disarranged, and the pillows of which seemed to have been rumpled up in a fit of rage and despair; she appeared like one stupified, with her gloomy looks, and hands clasping her knees. Her face and her neck bore the marks of Hadidjé's nails. The kohl from under her eyes had been smeared on her cheeks, which were smudged all over; she looked just like a little savage, with however the gracefulness of a child.
She did not stir when I came in; I walked right up to her, and in the solemn tone of a judge, said—
"Wretched girl, do you know what you have done?"
She remained silent and motionless, fixing her eyes on the carpet.
"After such an act, will you not answer?" I continued.
"Why do you love her?" she said at last, in a wild voice.