"The sun was sinking down below the horizon when Ibrahim Velagic, followed by Mujo Jelascovic, by the old _Bulju Pasha_, who was as yet ignorant of his son's fate, by the other Mussulman warriors, as well as by a number of _svati_--all came to the bridge, attired in magnificent clothes of silk and satin, laced in gold, with their finest weapons glittering with precious stones. Then came Kuna Hassan Aga, with all his train and a number of slaves, some carrying a palanquin, the others the bridal gifts.
"When the two parties had met at the bridge, all wondering what would take place next, Ayesha ordered the slaves to put her down.
"Velagic at once dismounted from his horse, and came forward to help her to alight, offering her his hand.
"She simply waved him off, and standing up: 'How dare you come to me! Look at your hand; it is stained with blood; and not with Christian, but with Moslem blood.'
"The eyes of the bystanders were all turned upon the _Dizdar_ of Stermizza, who got all at once of a livid hue; still, he lifted up his hand and said:
"'Ayesha, my hands have often been stained with the blood of our enemies, never with that of our brethren.'
"'Man,' said the young girl, 'in the name of the Living God, thou liest!'
"There was a murmur and a stir amongst the crowd, as when the slight wind which precedes the storm rustles amongst the leaves of the trees.
"Then Ayesha, turning towards Sarè: 'Father,' said she to him, 'your hand.'
"The _Bulju Pasha_ rushed forward and helped her to alight.
"As soon as she was on the ground she threw off her veil and her _feredgé_, and stood there in her glittering bridal dress, the costly jewels of which seemed to shine less than her beautiful face.
"All the men were astounded at such an act of boldness from so modest a maiden; but her dazzling beauty seemed to fill them with that awe which is felt at some supernatural sight. They all thought they were looking upon a houri, or some heavenly vision, rather than upon a human being; so that when she opened her lips again to speak, a perfect silence reigned everywhere.
"'My child?' replied the old man; 'I have not see him the whole of this long day.'
"'Ibrahim Velagic, _Dizdar_ of Stermizza, where is Hussein, the standard-bearer?'
