What is his
business who has her? I wish we were well up the Ghauts again, my dear
Sadoc."
"For my part," answered the slave, "I am half determined never to ascend
the Ghauts more. Hark you, Adela, I begin to sicken of the plan we have
laid. This creature's confiding purity--call her angel or woman, as you
will--makes my practices appear too vile, even in my own eyes. I feel
myself unfit to be your companion farther in the daring paths which you
pursue. Let us part, and part friends."
"Amen, coward. But the woman remains with me," answered the Queen of
Sheba. [Footnote: In order to maintain uninjured the tone of passion
throughout this dialogue, it has been judged expedient to discard, in
the Language of the Begum, the _patois_ of Madame Munreville.]
"With thee!" replied the seeming black--"never. No, Adela. She is under
the shadow of the British flag, and she shall experience its
protection."
"Yes--and what protection will it afford to you yourself?" retorted the
Amazon. "What if I should clap my hands, and command a score of my black
servants to bind you like a sheep, and then send word to the Governor of
the Presidency that one Richard Middlemas, who had been guilty of
mutiny, murder, desertion, and serving of the enemy against his
countrymen, is here, at Ram Sing Cottah's house, in the disguise of a
black servant?" Middlemas covered his face with his hands, while Madame
Montreville proceeded to load him with reproaches.
Pages:
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224