"When the two parties had met at the bridge, all wondering what would take place next, Ayesha ordered the slaves to put her down.
"Velagic at once dismounted from his horse, and came forward to help her to alight, offering her his hand.
"She simply waved him off, and standing up: 'How dare you come to me! Look at your hand; it is stained with blood; and not with Christian, but with Moslem blood.'
"The eyes of the bystanders were all turned upon the Dizdar of Stermizza, who got all at once of a livid hue; still, he lifted up his hand and said:
"'Ayesha, my hands have often been stained with the blood of our enemies, never with that of our brethren.'
"'Man,' said the young girl, 'in the name of the Living God, thou liest!'
"There was a murmur and a stir amongst the crowd, as when the slight wind which precedes the storm rustles amongst the leaves of the trees.
"Then Ayesha, turning towards Sarè: 'Father,' said she to him, 'your hand.'
"The Bulju Pasha rushed forward and helped her to alight.
"As soon as she was on the ground she threw off her veil and her feredgé, and stood there in her glittering bridal dress, the costly jewels of which seemed to shine less than her beautiful face.