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Article HASSAN AND ZOOLMA; ← Page 11 of 18 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Hassan And Zoolma;
sure ; and while Zoolma stooped to lift up the broken utensil which had fallen , she had just sufficient time to say , "Eat not , sleep not—or you lose your life . " A caution thus given , at such a time , and in such a place , was not likely to pass unheeded by the person to whom it was addressed .
In a short interval after this conversation a messenger summoned Hassan to the evening repast . Dinner was prepared for three only , that is to say , for himself , his host , and the friendly entertainer . Awake to the suspicions which had been excited in his breast , he refused to partake of aught that was set before him , alleging that he was indisposed by travel and felt sick . His friend rallied him on his illness to such an extent that he began to think Zoolma ' s admonition useless ; nevertheless he considered it but wise to adhere to the prohibition
which had been given him , and he refrained . The same excuse obtained for him permission to retire early to rest . < > n taking leave of his worthy entertainer , Hassan thanked him for the hospitality which he had experienced , and to his friend , who had introduced him , he likewise expressed his grateful thanks for such kindness as had been shewn him . The latter embraced him , wished him the usual nocturnal salutation , and bid him be ready to rise full early in the morning , as
the cavalcade would move as soon as dawn appeared . Hassan went to the open apartment which had been prepared for him , but could not find either of his servants . He had been long used to hard service , and cared not much for their absence , though he thought it singular . Others , however , were there ready to supply the place of the defaulters . The domestics of the host brought both pipes and coffee , which they offered to Hassan ; he , however , resolutely refused to partake of luxuries which he dearly loved . He laid himself down on his bed , and there began to meditate on what he had seen and heard during the day ; but
the warning which he had received , and the other anxious circumstances with which he was surrounded so worried aud irritated him , that he could no longer rest at ease ; he rose aud perambulated the court-yard adjacent to the room wherein he lay , but he then first perceived , that though the beds of several persons , who had not then made their appearance , were spread out on the ground , the door of the yard was locked ; he returned to the room in which he had been placedand on trying the door through which he had beenconducted
, . , he felt that that , too , had been secured . His arms too ? Yes—they bad been secured . They had been in the custody of his servants , and his servants had otherwise been disposed of . Here then he was encompassed by enemies , without the smallest means of defending himself , and if attacked he must die the death of a dog . Then again came across him the recollection of Zoolma ' s words , and an indistinct idea floated on his brain that she had an interest in him . Could he doubt
it ? Had she the power to assist him in such a perilous case ? That remained to be seen . He then once more , as he heard a neighbouring ghurree or gong sound the third hour of the night , called his God to recollection in prayer , and waited in patience and resignation what might come to pass . He determined , however , should danger arise , to sell his life as dearly as he could . The moon , then new , had begun to shine less brilliantly , and a sort
of obscure light only proceeded from that usually bright orb . At length a noise as if of the opening of a door was heard , and a man made his appearance , who crept with a slow and stealthy step towards vou vi . ¦ / ..
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Hassan And Zoolma;
sure ; and while Zoolma stooped to lift up the broken utensil which had fallen , she had just sufficient time to say , "Eat not , sleep not—or you lose your life . " A caution thus given , at such a time , and in such a place , was not likely to pass unheeded by the person to whom it was addressed .
In a short interval after this conversation a messenger summoned Hassan to the evening repast . Dinner was prepared for three only , that is to say , for himself , his host , and the friendly entertainer . Awake to the suspicions which had been excited in his breast , he refused to partake of aught that was set before him , alleging that he was indisposed by travel and felt sick . His friend rallied him on his illness to such an extent that he began to think Zoolma ' s admonition useless ; nevertheless he considered it but wise to adhere to the prohibition
which had been given him , and he refrained . The same excuse obtained for him permission to retire early to rest . < > n taking leave of his worthy entertainer , Hassan thanked him for the hospitality which he had experienced , and to his friend , who had introduced him , he likewise expressed his grateful thanks for such kindness as had been shewn him . The latter embraced him , wished him the usual nocturnal salutation , and bid him be ready to rise full early in the morning , as
the cavalcade would move as soon as dawn appeared . Hassan went to the open apartment which had been prepared for him , but could not find either of his servants . He had been long used to hard service , and cared not much for their absence , though he thought it singular . Others , however , were there ready to supply the place of the defaulters . The domestics of the host brought both pipes and coffee , which they offered to Hassan ; he , however , resolutely refused to partake of luxuries which he dearly loved . He laid himself down on his bed , and there began to meditate on what he had seen and heard during the day ; but
the warning which he had received , and the other anxious circumstances with which he was surrounded so worried aud irritated him , that he could no longer rest at ease ; he rose aud perambulated the court-yard adjacent to the room wherein he lay , but he then first perceived , that though the beds of several persons , who had not then made their appearance , were spread out on the ground , the door of the yard was locked ; he returned to the room in which he had been placedand on trying the door through which he had beenconducted
, . , he felt that that , too , had been secured . His arms too ? Yes—they bad been secured . They had been in the custody of his servants , and his servants had otherwise been disposed of . Here then he was encompassed by enemies , without the smallest means of defending himself , and if attacked he must die the death of a dog . Then again came across him the recollection of Zoolma ' s words , and an indistinct idea floated on his brain that she had an interest in him . Could he doubt
it ? Had she the power to assist him in such a perilous case ? That remained to be seen . He then once more , as he heard a neighbouring ghurree or gong sound the third hour of the night , called his God to recollection in prayer , and waited in patience and resignation what might come to pass . He determined , however , should danger arise , to sell his life as dearly as he could . The moon , then new , had begun to shine less brilliantly , and a sort
of obscure light only proceeded from that usually bright orb . At length a noise as if of the opening of a door was heard , and a man made his appearance , who crept with a slow and stealthy step towards vou vi . ¦ / ..