F Marion Crawford

Khaled (1891) by F Marion Crawford

Although the Saracinesca series is widely considered Marion Crawford's best work, the unusual adult fantasy Khaled: A Tale of Arabia, of a genii who has to win the love of Zehowah to gain a soul, was the one story nearest his heart. 'And if I destroy all your enemies and the enemies of your people, will you love me then, Zehowah?' 'Why should I love you then, more than now? What has war to do with love? Again, I ask, what is it to you whether I love you or not? Am I not your wife, and are you not my master? What is this love of which you talk? Is it a rich garment that you can wear? A precious stone that you can fasten in your turban? A rich carpet to spread in your house? A treasure of gold, a mountain of ambergris, a bushel of pearls from Oman? Why do you covet it? Am I not beautiful enough? Then is love henna to make my hair bright, or kohl to darken my eyes, or a boiled egg with almonds to smooth my face? I have all these things, and ointments from Egypt, and perfumes from Syria, and if I am not beautiful enough to please you, it is the will of Allah, and love will not make me fairer.'