"Poor despicable wretch!" exclaimed Fatima, "thy life is not worth saving! You may do with me, Sir, as you please; you are my brother; it will be honourable for you to deliver your sister into the hands of justice; but be assured, whilst I have life, I will retain my jewels; jewels which Heli plundered me of, when he basely broke into the women's tents, rifled our baggage, and carried me off; these jewels were my property, and I will swear to it."
Ferdinand stood thunder-struck at her unparalleled effrontery; she saw her advantage, and pursued it.
"There are persons coming," said she;—take your choice: Suffer me to leave you instantly, without discovery or pursuit; or if you insult, detain, or give me up, I will immediately declare my affinity to you, claim the late Count Renaud as my father, protest he was married to my mother, commence a process against you for his fortune, and accuse you as an accomplice in urging me to regain my own diamonds."
