Her mother's heart went out
to the boy who had saved her child.
Breakfast had been long delayed. As Ashmed now entered the room, the
meal was soon dispatched, and the children went with Antonio to an
adjoining room, where they sang and played till dinner time.
CHAPTER VI
THE PLANS
Ashmed and Fatime withdrew to the library, and seated themselves to
enjoy a quiet half-hour in conversation.
"My dear husband," said his wife, "I wish you had come a few moments
sooner, and you would have heard a sad story. It was so full of love and
longing that if I could help Antonio get back to his mother I feel that
I should be repaying him, in a measure at least, for saving my child.
Oh, how much better I understand now what a mother must feel at the loss
of a child."
Ashmed's face brightened as he heard these words. "How thankful I am
that you are so minded," said he. "I feel just as you do, and I wish to
discuss the matter fully with you."
Fatime was ready with plans at once. "You have," said she, "often spoken
of taking a trip to Italy and making your residence there. What could
better suit your purpose than to do it now. Our treasures of gold and
silver, pearls, diamonds and other valuables we could take with us. Our
landed estates and all your wares we could sell. Let us do so as soon as
possible, and leave Algiers forever."
Ashmed praised his wife for her cleverness, and resolved to carry out
her plans immediately.
After a few more months of planning, he met with unusual success in
disposing of his property, real and personal, and with his wife, the
children and Antonio soon took passage on a steamer bound for Italy.
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