neber--neber cry!"
The earnestness of this remark caused Hester to laugh even when on the
verge of weeping, so she grasped Sally's hand and shook it warmly, thus
cementing the friendship which had so auspiciously begun.
After the meal Mrs Lilly took her lodger into the front room and gave
her embroidery work to do. She found it by no means difficult, having
learned something like it during her residence with Ben-Ahmed's
household. At night she retired to the dark lumber-room, but as Sally
owned one of the corners of it Hester did not feel as lonely as she had
feared, and although her bed was only made of straw, it was by no means
uncomfortable, being spread thickly and covered with two blankets.
She dreamed, of course, and it may easily be understood that her dreams
were not pleasant, and that they partook largely of terrible flights
from horrible dangers, and hairbreadth escapes from an ogre who,
whatever shape he might assume, always displayed the head and features
of the hated Osman.
Next morning, however, she arose pretty well refreshed, and
inexpressibly thankful to find that she was still safe.
For a long time she remained thus in hiding. Then, as it was considered
probable that search for her had been given up as useless, Mrs Lilly
resolved to send her out with Sally to one of the obscurer
market-places, to purchase some household necessaries.
"You see, chile," said the motherly woman, "you git sick on my hands if
you not go out, an' dere's no danger. Just keep your shawl well ober
your face, an' hold your tongue. Don't forgit dat. Let 'em kill you if
dey likes, but don't speak!"
With this earnest caution ringing in her ears, Hester went forth with
Sally to thread the mazes of the town. At first she was terribly
frightened, and fancied that every one who looked at her saw through her
disguise, but as time passed and no one took the least notice of her,
her natural courage returned, and gradually she began to observe and
take an interest in the strange persons and things she saw everywhere
around her.
CHAPTER TEN.
TORTURE IS APPLIED IN VAIN, AND TRUE LOVE IS NOT TO BE DECEIVED.
We must return now to the residence of Ben-Ahmed at Mustapha.
When his son Osman--who had seen Hester only once and that for but a few
minutes--discovered that the fair slave had fled, his rage knew no
bounds. He immediately sent for Peter the Great and sternly asked him
if he knew how the English girl ha
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