Chapter XXXIX: Forward

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:

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