He recalled to her the
scene in the little tapestried room as vividly as though it was there
before her eyes, and it had for the moment all the effect of a hideous
nightmare. At last, however, she met David's eyes, and they guided her,
for in them was a steady strength and force which gave her confidence. At
first he also had been overcome inwardly, but his nerves were cool, his
head was clear, and he listened to Nahoum, thinking out his course
meanwhile.
He owed this man much. He had taken his place, and by so doing had placed
his life in danger. He had killed the brother upon the same day that he
had dispossessed the favourite of office; and the debt was heavy. In
office Nahoum had done after his kind, after the custom of the place and
the people; and yet, as it would seem, the man had had stirrings within
him towards a higher path. He, at any rate, had not amassed riches out of
his position, and so much could not be said of any other servant of the
Prince Pasha. Much he had heard of Nahoum's powerful will, hidden under a
genial exterior, and behind his friendly, smiling blue eyes.
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