Page 203 - Malay sketches

A MALAY ROMANCE

realised the state of affairs he would not have been
indifferent to the disgrace that must be his, should
his wife's liaison become public property. It is un-
that he had of if
likely any suspicion Sleman, but,
he had, it would never occur to him that any man
would have the courage to do more than carry on a
clandestine intrigue, and of that he suspected Mai-
munah had been Least of all would
already guilty.
it seem for a a
possible foreigner supported by
dozen followers to brave the power and resentment
of well nigh the greatest chief of a powerful State.
In this, however, he was misled by the suave
manners of the quiet stranger.
Sleman's suit prospered, and he was not satisfied
to continue indefinitely filling the role of false friend
to Iskander and fearful lover to his wife. However
much he despised the man, however easily he found
he could profit by Iskander's indifference, he meant
to play a bolder game and make Maimunah his own
at all hazards if she were prepared to face the risk.
Her courage was equal to his own (for failure
meant probably death to her as to him), and one
while Iskander over
night, lay in his boat dreaming
his opium-pipe, the stranger was carrying off his
royal spouse within earshot, almost from under his
very eyes.
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