AssheapproachedherfathertoldherinhisownlanguagethatIwasacaptivebelongingtohisfriendtheArnautMami, andthatIhadcomeforsalad.
Shetookuptheconversation, andinthatmixtureoftonguesIhavespokenofsheaskedmeifIwasagentleman, andwhyIwasnotransomed.
IansweredthatIwasalreadyransomed, andthatbythepriceitmightbeseenwhatvaluemymastersetonme, asIhadgivenonethousandfivehundredzoltanisforme; towhichshereplied, "Hadstthoubeenmyfather's, Icantellthee, Iwouldnothavelethimpartwiththeefortwiceasmuch, foryouChristiansalwaystellliesaboutyourselvesandmakeyourselvesoutpoortocheattheMoors."
"Thatmaybe, lady," saidI; "butindeedIdealttruthfullywithmymaster, asIdoandmeantodowitheverybodyintheworld."
"Andwhendostthougo?" saidZoraida.
"To-morrow, Ithink," saidI, "forthereisavesselherefromFrancewhichsailsto-morrow, andIthinkIshallgoinher."
"Woulditnotbebetter," saidZoraida, "towaitforthearrivalofshipsfromSpainandgowiththemandnotwiththeFrenchwhoarenotyourfriends?"
"No," saidI; "thoughiftherewereintelligencethatavesselwerenowcomingfromSpainitistrueImight, perhaps, waitforit; however, itismorelikelyIshalldepartto-morrow, forthelongingIfeeltoreturntomycountryandtothoseIloveissogreatthatitwillnotallowmetowaitforanotheropportunity, howevermoreconvenient, ifitbedelayed."
"Nodoubtthouartmarriedinthineowncountry," saidZoraida, "andforthatreasonthouartanxioustogoandseethywife."
"Iamnotmarried," Ireplied, "butIhavegivenmypromisetomarryonmyarrivalthere."
"Andistheladybeautifultowhomthouhastgivenit?" saidZoraida.
