Dilama

The black slave appeared -- it seemed almost instantly -- before the curtain; while Dilama still stood, motionless, irresolute, with a curious sense of disappointment, mingling with relief, stealing over her.

Six Women Victoria Cross 1910

Ahmed beckoned the slave to him, and said something in a low voice Dilama did not catch, but the last sentence she overheard.

Six Women Victoria Cross 1910

Dilama sprang from the floor to her knees with a smothered cry of terror.

Six Women Victoria Cross 1910

Shading her brow with one hand, Dilama came forward, fell at those feet and kissed them.

Six Women Victoria Cross 1910

Lying at his feet, Dilama sobbed uncontrollably, rolling her head, with its wonderful crown of flower-decked hair, and her pink-silk clad body amongst the rugs on the floor.

Six Women Victoria Cross 1910

But Dilama was not yet Ahmed's wife; she loved him most truly and deeply as an affectionate daughter.

Six Women Victoria Cross 1910

Dilama ventured to lift her eyes to the kingly figure before her, and meeting the pained, dark eyes bent on her, and realising that there was nothing, indeed, to make her fear but her own guilty conscience, she burst suddenly into an uncontrollable passion of weeping, and slipping from the couch fell sobbing at his feet.

Six Women Victoria Cross 1910

Dilama half-sat, half-crouched upon the divan, not daring to stir, and watched him furtively.

Six Women Victoria Cross 1910

Dilama guessed at once it was some present for her.

Six Women Victoria Cross 1910

He affected now not to see her embarrassment, thinking it to be only that, and said quietly, "And you have been happy, Dilama, in my house?"

Six Women Victoria Cross 1910