He licked his lips. "And the price, my lord?" he asked, in a small
voice.
"Price?" quoth Asad. "Have I not bid thee purchase her? Bring her to
me, though her price be a thousand philips."
"A thousand philips!" echoed Tsamanni amazed. "Allah is great!"
But already Asad had left his side and passed out under the arched
gateay, where the grovelling anew at the sight of him.
It was a fine thing for Asad to bid him remain for the sale. But the
dalal would part with no slave until the money was forthcoming, and
Tsamanni had no considerable sum upon his person. Therefore in the wake
of his master he set out forthwith to the Kasbah. It wanted still an
hour before the sale would be held and he had time and to spare in which
to go and return.
It happened, however, that Tsamanni was malicious, and that the hatred
of Fenzileh which so long he had consumed in silence and dissembled
under fawning smiles and profound salaams included also her servants.
There was none in all the world of whom he entertained a greater
contempt than her sleek and greasy eunuch Ayoub-el-Samin of the
majestic, rolling gait and fat, supercilious lips.
It was written, too, that in the courtyard of the Kasbah he should
stumble upon Ayoub, who indeed had by his mistress's commands been set
to watch for the wazeer. The fat fellow rolled forward, his hands
supporting his paunch, his little eyes agleam.
"Allah increase thy health, Tsamanni," was his courteous greeting.
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