human
Art thou the Angleezi whom Allah delivered into the hands of our master Hadj Absalam? Art thou named the Amin?
gpt
Yes, I replied.
human
Who art thou?
gpt
Know, O Roumi, that I have been sent by my mistress, Zoraida Fathma, she said, drawing her haick closer with her brown, bony hand.
human
My lady of exalted dignity said unto me, `Go, seek the foreigner Cecil Holcombe, _wakol loh inni moshtak ilich_.' (
gpt
Tell him that I am desiring to see him.
human
To see her? I expected she would be here!
gpt
Alas! no. The koubba of Sidi-Djebbar cannot be graced by my lady's presence this moon.
human
Is she here, in El Djezair?
gpt
Yes. Although thou hast not known it, her lustrous eyes, the Lights of the Harem, hath already gazed upon thee since thy sojourn here. She desireth to have speech with thee.
human
When?
gpt
Two hours after the sun hath set.
human
And where may I see her?
gpt
Knowest thou, O Roumi, that in the Jardin Marengo there is a path under the wall of the holy Zaouia of Sidi Abd-er-Rahman. If thou wilt meet me there under the great cedar tree when the moon hath risen, I will conduct thee to her presence. My lady hath named thee Amin, and must see thee.
human
I will await thee, I replied.
gpt
Go, tell thy mistress that the hours have passed at snail's pace since we met, that the Amin weareth her ring, and that he hath not forgotten.
human
Behold! Some one cometh! she exclaimed in alarm, as a tall Arab appeared at the bend of the path sauntering slowly in our direction.
gpt
I must not be seen speaking with thee, an Infidel, within the sacred precincts of the koubba. Till to-night, _sidi, slama_.