Madar did not apparently choose to accept this polite invitation, for he thought it possible that the first threat might be attempted, and the shout of laughter which followed the latter part of the speech caused him to quicken his pace considerably; and only once looking behind him, to throw a glance of hate towards those by whom he had been menaced, he pursued his way, and was soon lost in the crowd.
‘There goes a spiteful heart,’ said Kasim; ‘didst thou see the look he cast behind him?’
‘Ay, brother,’ replied Dilawur Ali; ‘thou hast said truly, he has a spiteful heart, and I could tell thee many a tale of his iniquity; but I am half sorry that we did not speak him fair.’
‘I am not: I would rather have an open enemy than one under the garb of civility or friendship.’
‘The scoundrel will tell all he has heard, and as much more as he can invent, to the Jemadar yonder.’
‘And what of that?’ said Kasim; ‘what have I to fear?’
‘This is no place to speak of him,’ said his friend; ‘come to my tent, I will tell thee much of him.’
And truly the account the worthy Syud gave of the Jemadar was not calculated in any way to allay fear, if any had existed in Kasim’s heart: for it was one of deceit, of villainy often successful, of constant intrigue, and of cruel revenge; but the young man’s fearless spirit only made light of these, which might have disquieted a more experienced person; and he asked gaily,
‘But what makest thee think that he bears me any enmity? we have as yet hardly seen each other.’
‘I know it from his vile face, Kasim. While the Khan often spoke to thee kindly in his presence, his eyes wandered to thee with a bad expression, and they no sooner left thee than he and that Sontaburdar of his exchanged furtive glances. I was watching them, for I saw at once he would be jealous of thee.’