The Son Of Monte Cristo Part 2 (1/2)
”I had locked the door, but it was almost instantly burst open and Ali Pasha leaped in, followed by several of his crew
”Holding my weapon uplifted in my hand, I cried out, in a tone of desperate deterer on reeted with a loud burst of conte forward, whirled the dagger frohan This done, he sternly fixed his glance upon me and said:
”'Haydee, wife of Monte-Cristo, Haydee, the Greek slave, you are my captive! Sons of Islam, seize her and conduct her to the slave mart of Stamboul!'
”Three Turks advanced to obey this cole in their ruffianly grasp In a ed A mantle was thrown over my head I felt myself thrust into a sack and swooned just as one of the buccaneers was lifting me upon his shoulder
”When I recovered consciousness, I found irls, in the dreaded slave bazaar of Constantinople Old ht with terror, rushed upon me I recalled the time when I was before exposed for sale and Monte-Cristo had bought me Would he come toI pictured tothat I had been stolen froain? And even should he discover rasp of Ali Pasha, whose favor with the Sultan was notorious? Monte-Cristo, with all his prestige, was but one man, and no match for the mendaciousness, duplicity and power of the entire Turkish court! I was lost, and nothing could save s when I realized that I was even then, at that verythe free and honored wife of Monte-Cristo I had suddenly become a mere article of human merchandise, valued si upon a thread Would I be purchased by sorandee as a new ornament for his harem, or was I destined to fall into the hands of a brutal e for the execution of bitter and revolting tasks?
”When each new purchaser entered the bazaar I trembled from head to foot, I quivered in every liian and Circassian girls inspected and disposed of, until at last I was the only slave unsold in the entire ht my turn must speedily come, that the next Mussulman who entered would surely buy me, and I had fir death rather than slavery
”Ali Pasha had personally conducted all the visitors about the bazaar, dilating in the extravagant oriental fashi+on upon the extraordinary merits of the captives he wished to turn into money Many ti in a corner, volubly expatiating on le Turk had evinced the slightest inclination to relieve hierly glanced around the mart Both wore turbans and full Turkish dress Their faces were shrouded with heavy beards, and there was an indescribable soes of exalted rank
”They paused a short distance fro Ali Pasha:
”'What is the name of yonder slave?'
”'Zuleika,' answered the obsequious and unscrupulous slave-dealer
”'From what country is she and how did you obtain possession of her?'
asked the second visitor, who had not yet spoken His voice was subdued and evidently disguised; nevertheless there was soely stirred me and filled me with hope
”Ali Pasha replied to his inquiry with unblushi+ng effrontery:
”'The slave is from Circassia, and was sold to me by her parents'
”I know not how I obtained the courage to do so, but instantly I cried out:
”'All that vile wretch has said is false! My name is Haydee, and I am the wife of the Count of Monte-Cristo! Ali Pasha forcibly abducted me from my husband's yacht that now lies in the harbor of Constantinople!'
”'Ali Pasha,' said the first speaker, 'this is a grave accusation! It is true that the illustrious Monte-Cristo's yacht now lies in the harbor of Stamboul, and such an abduction as this slave has mentioned did, indeed, take place'
”The slave-dealer winced slightly, but, instantly recovering hi of Monte-Cristo, his yacht or his wife As for this lying slave, I will punish her on the spot!'
”With these words he advanced toward ly against the wall, but the next instant a blow that would have felled an ox had hurled Ali Pasha to the stone floor of the bazaar It was delivered by theoff his beard, ht me in his arms and folded me to his breast!
”Ali Pasha had now arisen to his feet Livid with rage he rushed at Monte-Cristo with a dagger in his hand, swearing by the Prophet that he would have his heart's blood But the other visitor caught his arm and held him back
”'Who are you and why do you stand between e?'
cried the slave-dealer, furiously
”The stranger threw open his robe, and on his breast gleamed a diamond-studded crescent