ABSTRACT
This chapter reproduces the text from Chapter IX of Ada Reis, Volume 1. Dangerous were the feelings which agitated Fiormonda’s mind. Kabkarra had spoken truly when he had said that as she grew in years a violent spirit would show itself. She broke forth into a strain of ridicule: in one interview he found her decking herself with jewels which the Bey had presented to her; in another, she burst into frenzy, speaking to her attendants in the imperious tone her father ever assumed. Fiormonda’s recovery had been some time complete, and Shaffou Paca maintained that the sooner she espoused the Bey the better. In her country eight years of age was thought a very reasonable period at which to marry; at thirteen some of her companions had already a family of children. But Ada Reis could not quite make up his mind to consent to the marriage.
