terror of my
life, for if it were known that I held intercourse with Mitri, they
would cast me off. Well, thou hast no more hope from them, thanks to
thy rashness. Why couldst thou not shun the priest here, as I told
thee to? Now, with all the Orthodox boasting of thy conversion, thou
art more than ever accursed in their sight. Even at me they look
askance, I fancy, as if I had a finger in the mess. Come indoors where
we can talk privately. The worthy priest will let me enter with thee.
What made thee go and change thy faith just now?"

"I have not yet changed it, O my mother. I do but hear the reasoning
of our father Mitri."

"Well, that is something. I will tell them that." She held her tongue
suddenly, finding herself within the hearing of Mitri, who, however,
took no notice of her, but welcomed Iskender fatherly and bade him
enter. She entered with them unrebuked, and sat by while they argued,
feasting her eyes upon her son's good looks. The girl Nesibeh came
occasionally to the door of the inner room, and exchanged mischievous
glances with Iskender, who was on the watch for her. His mother's eyes
were quick to notice this, and, leaning to his ear, she whispered:

"Cunning devil! Thy plan is not amiss, for she is comely, and her
father stands well with the highest in the land. Thou wilt mix with
the Barudis and the rich Aziz."

Iskender shook her hand from off his arm, and brushed her words away as
stinging insects, in terror lest the priest should overhear. The
priest rebuked her for the interruption. But she continued unabashed,
and sat on smiling to herself, and nodding at Iskender when she caught
his eye.

After that Iskender went to the priest's house every evening, and his
mother often stole so far to meet him, hurrying, chin on shoulder, in
evident terror of pursuit by the missionaries. She endured all Mitri's
reprobations with a shrug, content so long as he allowed her to embrace
her boy.

"Poor people must eat bread. Our Blessed Lord knows that and will make
allowance for me," was her reply to the accusation of hypocrisy. But
she now seconded Mitri's designs upon Iskender, gratified by the notion
of an alliance with the priest's family. "It is different with him,"
she admitted, "since they have cast him out. Let Iskender follow the
guidance of the Spirit. Doubtless the congregation will take care of
his future, for he has forfeited a great career for conscience' sake."

Isken