I must add, however, that while rising to purer conceptions of truth, my
houris retained too much of their native instincts not to get their
heads turned somewhat by the novelty of their situation. Having equal
rights, they claimed the same rank in my esteem. From this it resulted
that Hadidjé, Nazli, and Zouhra at last took umbrage at the success of
Kondjé-Gul, who was wrong in trying to outstrip them. "Kondjé-Gul," they
proclaimed, "wishes to act the savante. Kondjé-Gul gives herself the
airs of a legitimate Sultana." I must confess that the said little
coquette was only too careful to impress them with her successes, of
which she was rather proud. One evening she sat down to the piano, and,
with a careless air, played part of a waltz, which she had learnt on the
sly in order to surprise me. You may guess what the effect was. This
triumph put the finishing touch to their provocation, and the evening
was spent in sulky murmurs.
Finally, one day when I arrived at the harem I found Kondjé-Gul shut up
in her own room, bathed in tears. The storm which had been impending so
long had burst over her proud head--Hadidjé, Zouhra, and Nazli had
beaten her.
Once more I appeased their discords, by recourse to a new declaration of
principles. The reconciliation was celebrated by a general display of
cordiality; but a faction had been formed within the ranks. At the very
time that I least expected it, Nazli, Hadidjé, and Zouhra returned to
their idea of a secret visit to the château. This project, which so far
had only been carried on by detached skirmishes, was still cherished by
them, and was now pursued by a compact body of troops, combining their
siege-manoeuvres with a rare concentration of boldness and courage.
Their weapons were tender caresses and those innumerable cajoleries of
women, which nearly always compel us to surrender in desperation to
their most unreasonable whims. My oriental ménage was still walking on
a flowery path, but a snare was hidden under the dead leaves.... A few
weeks later, when I was completely entangled in the subtle meshes of
their cunning, the whole line changed their tactics. They said no more
about Férouzat, but I soon saw exhibitions on every side of frivolous
caprices, sudden fits of sulkiness, unexpected refusals, and so forth.
My odalisques had become civilised.
I was too good a tactician to allow myself to be outflanked by this
artful little game, the concerted object of which I pretended not to
perceive. Whenever they fancied they had obtained a success over me, I
immediately transferred my attentions to Kondjé-Gul, and the attacking
party disbanded, surrendering unconditionally.