Yet ere he was out of earshot her price had risen further. Whilst Tsamanni was recovering from his surprise at the competitor that had suddenly appeared before him, the dalal had lured an increased offer from the Turk.
“’Tis a madness,” the latter deplored. “But she pleaseth me, and should it seem good to Allah the Merciful to lead her into the True Faith she may yet become the light of my hareem. Four hundred and twenty philips, then, O dalal, and Allah pardon me my prodigality.”
Yet scarcely was his little speech concluded than Tsamanni with laconic eloquence rapped out: “Five hundred.”
“Y’Allah!” cried the Turk, raising his hands to heaven, and “Y’Allah!” echoed the crowd.
“Five hundred and fifty,” shrilled Ayoub’s voice above the general din.
“Six hundred,” replied Tsamanni, still unmoved.
And now such was the general hubbub provoked by these unprecedented prices that the dalal was forced to raise his voice and cry for silence.
When this was restored Ayoub at once raised the price to seven hundred.
“Eight hundred,” snapped Tsamanni, showing at last a little heat.
“Nine hundred,” replied Ayoub.