Summary

In Chapter 41, the narrator observes Leyla as she laughs at how much Rustem has come to love her cat, Pamuk. Rustem notes that the cat never gets pregnant, and Leyla comments that neither does she. Rustem then questions Leyla about the Greek words she says when they make love. Leyla lies and says she is speaking Circassian.

In Chapter 42, it is 1911 and the Ottoman war is in full effect. Mustafa Kemal goes to Egypt to recruit Arabs for the war. As Italians attack Istanbul, the revolutionary government declines. The next year, the King of Montenegro declares war on the Ottoman Empire. He is joined by the Serbs, Greeks, and Bulgarians. A Muslim holocaust begins. As a result, the Ottoman Empire makes peace with Italy.

Philothei narrates Chapter 43, as she announces that her and Ibrahim are finally betrothed. During mass one night, Ibrahim...