." "Do not misunderstand me.

I love you so much, that I have no other wish than to see you happy and be allowed to be always with you.

If, by taking me for your only wife, you would outrage the laws of your country, if you would thereby expose yourself to contempt, or even blame, (for who could dare to despise my Bartja!) then take other wives; but let me have you, for myself alone, at least two, or perhaps even three years.

Will you promise this, Bartja ?" "I will." "And then, when my time has passed, and you must yield to the customs of your country (for it will not be love that leads you to bring home a second wife), then let me be the first among your slaves.

Oh! I have pictured that so delightfully to myself.