It is, in all respects, better that you should go.

Were we to be seen talking together, it might be supposed that we were planning some way of escape, and I should be more closely watched.

As it is, I see that Mahmud will have difficulty in protecting me.

Were you to ride about with him, as he says, your presence would remind his followers that he has a white man a captive here; whereas, if I remain almost in concealment near the harem, the fact that there is a white man here will pass out of the minds of those who know it, and will not become the common talk of the camp.
"Mahmud is running some risk in having spared my life, and I do not wish to make it harder for him.

Go, therefore, and tell him that you will leave tonight.