neighbors at the last minute； that’s all。 While you’re inviting them； say that
this was Enishte Effendi’s last wish…It won’t be a joyous wedding； but a
melancholy one。 If we don’t see ourselves through this affair； they’ll destroy
us； and they’ll punish you as well。 You understand； don’t you？”
She nodded as she wept。 Mounting my white horse； I said I’d secure the
witnesses and return before long； that Shekure ought to be ready； that
hereafter； I would be master of the house； and that I was going to the barber。 I
hadn’t thought through any of this beforehand。 As I spoke； the details came to
me； and just as I’d felt during battles from time to time； I had the conviction
that I was a cherished and favored servant of God and He was protecting me；
thus； everything was going to turn out fine。 When you feel this trust； do
whatever es to mind； follow your intuition and your actions will prove
correct。
I rode four blocks toward the Golden Horn from the Yakutlar neighborhood
to find the black…bearded； radiant…faced preacher of the mosque in Yasin Pasha；
the adjacent neighborhood； broom in hand； he was shooing shameless dogs
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out of the muddy courtyard。 I told him about my predicament。 By the will of
God； I explained； my Enishte’s time was upon him； and according to his last
wish； I was to marry his daughter； who； by decision of the üsküdar judge； had
just been granted a divorce from a husband lost at war。 The preacher objected
that by the dictates of Islamic law a divorced woman must wait a month
before remarrying；