HER SISTER FROM THE NORTH
taken my fancy. His long, white arms are matchless in their grace, and his bright eyes glisten like stars. Much I fear he has worked a charm on me! But his ruddy lips can wear a mocking smile at times, sister, and his ivory brow can wear a frown which frightens me! Much I doubt he is only a cruel deceiver!"
"Beware of such a man, my innocent sister. Love him not—or love and be his slave for ever!"
"Ay, ay, much I fear, sister Jelekha, I am his slave already, and he drags me along by a chain which I may not rend. Hast thou, my sister, ever felt thus?"
"Nay, gentle Sharifa, I was not born to be a chained slave, and if I ever sought a lover I would sooner purchase a submissive youth from the slave-market to do my bidding. My mother taught me the Charm of the Dagger when I was yet a girl; it is useful to us for making slaves of men."
"And hast thou worked the charm yet, sister, on some languishing slave—maybe some distressed soldier whom thou hast nursed in thy kindness?"
"Thou art too curious, my sister, and hast a saucy tongue in thy head it seems to me."
"Nay, nay, thou must overlook a sister's curiosity. Have I not told thee of a youth of lithe, supple form and dark, subtle eye, who has robbed me of my peace? And canst thou not call to mind some hapless wanderer from his home, some friendless stranger in this land, on whom thou mayst have worked the Charm of the Dagger or the stronger Charm of the Eye?"
"Thou art a shrewd girl, my dear sister Sharifa,
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