Kaid drew back as though
smitten by a blow.
Presently, upon the silence, her voice sharp with agony said: "I am a
leper, and I go to that desert place which my lord has set apart for
lepers, where, dead to the world, I shall watch the dreadful years come
and go. Behold, I would die, but that I have a sister there these many
years, and her sick soul lives in loneliness. O my lord, forgive me! Here
was I happy; here of old I did sing to thee, and I came to sing to thee
once more a death-song. Also, I came to see thee do justice, ere I went
from thy face for ever."
Kaid's head was lowered on his breast. He shuddered. "Thou art so
beautiful--thy voice, all! Thou wouldst see justice--speak! Justice shall
be made plain before thee."
Twice she essayed to speak, and could not; but from his sweetmeats and
the shadows Mahommed crept forward, kissed the ground before Kaid, and
said: "Effendina, thou knowest me as the servant of thy high servant,
Claridge Pasha."
"I know thee--proceed."
"Behold, she whom God has smitten, man smote first.
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