“None at all； my darling。”
“Fine； then。 My guardian has no claims of money or gold on you。 Please
excuse the impropriety of my discussing marital circumstances on my own
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behalf； but I have certain prerequisites that I must； unfortunately； explain to
you。”
As I fell silent for a while； Black said； “Yes；” in a manner that suggested an
apology for his hesitation。
“First；” I began； “you must swear before two witnesses that if you behave
badly toward me in our marriage； to a degree that I find unbearable； or if you
take a second wife； you will grant me a divorce with alimony。 Second； you
must swear before two witnesses that if for whatever reason you are absent
from the house for more than a six…month period without a visit； I will also be
granted a divorce with alimony。 Third； after we are married； you will of course
move into my home； however； until the villain who has murdered my father
has been caught or until you find him—how I’d love to torture him myself！—
and until Our Sultan’s book； pleted under the guidance of your talents
and efforts； has been honorably presented to Him； you will not share my bed。
Fourth； you will love my sons； who do share my bed with me； as if they were
your own children。”
“I agree。”
“Good。 If all of the obstacles that still lie before us disappear this quickly；
we’ll soon be wed。”
“Yes； wed； but not in the same bed。”
“The first step is marriage；” I said。 “Let’s see to that first。 Love es after
marriage。 Don’t forget： Marriage douses love’s flame； leaving nothing but a
barren and melanchol