The youth rose and said in a solemn, lofty voice:
"In my eyes not the roses of the cheeks, or the fire of the eyes, or bodily charms make a woman beautiful, but the beauty of the soul, for I recognise a soul in woman, and she is no mere plaything for the pastime of men. What enchants me is noble feeling, self-sacrifice, loyalty, resignation. Canst thou die for him whom thou lovest?"
"It would be rapture to me."
"Canst thou die for her whom thou hatest in order to prove how thou dost love?"
"I do not understand," said Azrael hesitating.
"Thou wilt understand immediately. There is a captive woman in Hassan's castle who is entrusted to thy charge. This captive woman must be liberated. Wilt thou liberate her?"
At these words Azrael's heart began to throb feverishly. All the blood vanished from her face. She looked at the youth in despair, and said with a gasp:
"Dost thou love this woman?"
"Suppose that I love her and thou dost free her all the same."
The woman collapsed at the feet of Feriz Beg, and embracing his knees, said, sobbing loudly: