Chapter XXXIX · FORWARD
Reading edition
TWO days later, on the deck of an outward-bound steamer, sat Takvor and Armenouhi. The Turkish shore was fast receding from sight. Far in the distant east, past the mound of ancient Troy and beyond Mount Ida, thick, black clouds were rapidly gathering. Thicker and blacker they rolled up from the horizon, enveloping the land, as if to exclude the face of heaven, while occasionally, darting through and intensifying their blackness, came a flash of lightning, like a mighty sword of vengeance.
Before them on the western horizon, a few fleecy clouds, gilded by the last rays of the setting sun, formed, as it were, a beautiful mirage. There were rivers and lakes, and golden islands of fantastic shapes. Grassy fields and shady trees, suggestive of peace and rest, seemed to beckon them thither to dwell forever.
Armenouhi turned and looked back. The dark, threatening clouds, darker and more threatening than ever, had completely hidden the land. From their intense blackness burst forth a great ball of fire, illuminating them, and seeming to transform them into a vast sea of blood.
She shuddered; Takvor drew her close to him.
“Not backward again, Armenouhi. It is over forever. See the bright lakes, and the islands, and the cool shady trees, and the green fields before us.”
She nestled closer to him and looked forward.
Transcriber’s Note:
New original cover art included with this eBook is granted to the public domain.
Except as follows spelling, hyphenation and punctuation have been retained as they appear in the original publication:
Page 43 kaiyiks which nearly covered the Golden Horn changed to kajiks which nearly covered the Golden Horn
Page 104 them as they fell spashing into the water changed to them as they fell splashing into the water
Page 143 feradji that concealed her hairless head changed to firadji that concealed her hairless head
Page 154 she was permited in the hallway changed to she was permitted in the hallway
Page 186 apartment When Armenouhi removed her changed to apartment. When Armenouhi removed her
Page 197 the carriage, the chauosh, satisfied changed to the carriage, the chaoush, satisfied
Page 199 before Vatouhi’s house in Kum Kapu changed to before Vartouhi’s house in Kum Kapu
Page 203 Was his father’s propperty changed to Was his father’s property
Page 207 along with various knicknacks changed to along with various knickknacks
Page 210 “Twelve hundred liras from a fortune changed to Twelve hundred liras from a fortune
Page 227 loosed his tonge. The kindnesses which changed to loosed his tongue. The kindnesses which
Page 248 Effendim, your are mistaken; she is my changed to Effendim, you are mistaken; she is my