Leo Africanus by Amin Maalouf

Author:Amin Maalouf [Maalouf, Amin]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3, mobi, pdf
Tags: nepalifiction, TPB
Publisher: New Amsterdam Books
Published: 1988-03-11T22:00:00+00:00

I let two months pass before returning to the palace, since I did not wish to give the chancellor the impression I was rushing him. He seemed extremely friendly, told me that he had been awaiting me for weeks, offered me some syrup, spoke tearfully of my departed uncle and then told me in an almost triumphant tone that he had managed to arrange that my sister would be examined again by four officially designated women.

‘You will understand, young man, that our sultan, however powerful he is, cannot bring anyone back into the city who is suspected of being infected with this dreadful disease. If your sister is declared healthy and unmarked, a letter from the sovereign will have her removed from the quarter within a day.’

This solution seemed reasonable, and I decided to convey it to Mariam, in the most confident manner to give her new hope. Harun asked if he could accompany me. I said ‘yes’ immediately, not without some surprise.

Mariam claimed to be happy to see me return in good health after such a long journey, but she seemed even further away than at our last meeting, and deathly pale. I looked hard at her.

‘And how do you feel?’

‘Much better than most of my neighbours.’

‘I had hoped that you would be free when I came back.’

‘I had too much to do here.’

The bitter sarcasm which had so exasperated me two years earlier was even more pronounced.

‘Do you remember my oath?’

‘If you keep to it, if you do not marry, I shall have neither children nor nephews.’

Harun was standing behind me, looking now at the stream, now at the guard. He had only given my sister a timid and furtive greeting, and was giving the impression of not paying attention to what we were saying. Suddenly he cleared his throat noisily and looked straight into Mariam’s eyes:

‘If you react in this way, if you let yourself give way to discouragement, you will come out of here insane, and rescuing you will be pointless. Your brother has come to bring you good news, the result of his efforts at the palace.’

At his words she calmed herself immediately and listened to me without a trace of mockery or sarcasm.

‘When shall I be examined?’

‘Very soon. Be always ready.’

‘I am still healthy. They will not find the smallest mark.’

‘I have no doubt. All will be well!’

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.