ave been.

"I need not say that he has directed that everything possible shall be
done for your comfort--and it is my pleasure to obey Excellency's
orders, in so far as my poor house can afford. And even were these not
Excellency's instructions," he added with a grin, "it is an honor for
the house of Rataj to have beneath its roof one so noble and so
beautiful."

A wave of nerves swept over Marishka for the admiration in his glance
was unmistakable, but she knew that any possible chance of safety for
Hugh--for herself--lay in the favor of this man. And so with a shudder
of repugnance which she concealed with difficulty, she motioned to him
to be seated. His small eyes appraised her eagerly for a moment, and
then he sank upon a cushion near her, and without asking permission,
took out a cigarette.

"I--I shall not forget your kindness, Effendi," said Marishka,
struggling for her composure. "Already Yeva and I are good friends."

"Ah, that is fortunate, for it was upon the question of the future of
Yeva that I have come to talk with you."

"In what may I serve you, Effendi?"

He sighed deeply.

"Times change, Excellency. In the days gone by, the Begs of Rataj were
reckoned among the rulers of Bosnia, high in the counsels of the
Janissaries, feudal lords of great domains. But I, alas! the last of the
Begs of Rataj, whose father even held the sway of a king, have been
deprived of my tithes, and reduced to the low condition of a merchant in
rugs, a dealer in antiquities, dependent upon the good will of tourists
from the West, reduced perhaps one day to sit in a stall in the Carsija.
It is not so much that I am no longer rich, but it is my pride, the
pride of race which suffers under misfortune."

Whither was the man leading? Much as she distrusted him, her curiosity
was aroused, and she listened, watching him intently.

"You will perhaps understand," he continued gravely, "that all this is
very hard upon Yeva, the star of my heart, with whom Allah has blessed
me. The West has flowed in upon the East at Bosna-Seraj, and engulfed
it. We are no more a simple Moslem city with the tastes of our fathers;
and our women are no more satisfied to remain as they were, childish,
ignorant, and unlettered. The spell of the Occident is upon the land.
Vienna, Berlin, Paris, have come to Bosna-Seraj. Our women sigh for the
things which are beyond the mountains. The peace of the home is invaded
and our women are unhappy, because th