human
Well? I exclaimed, handing back the paper.
gpt
You will have an opportunity of seeing her very soon, I suppose?
human
See her? Never! he answered, with poignant bitterness.
gpt
Already I have discovered that she is instituting inquiries about me; that is the reason why I have not sought to return to Biskra. I do not desire the past disinterred;
human
Fate plays us some sorry tricks sometimes. Most probably you will meet her just when you least expect--
gpt
What? he cried, interrupting.
human
Face her? To hold her hand as before--to tell her that her husband, the man whose ring she wears, and over whom the journalists gush and drivel, is--is a murderer! No! No! I never will!
gpt
But, my dear fellow, is it not your duty to denounce him if you possess absolute proof of his guilt?
human
My duty? _Bien_ he answered reflectively.
gpt
But the denunciation would bring no satisfaction to me--on the contrary, it would kill her.
human
You are right, I conceded reluctantly, after a pause.
gpt
Your silence and self-denial is the greatest kindness you could show towards her. Indeed, your affection must be very deep-rooted, or your patience would long ago have been exhausted amid this hard life and social ostracism.
human
Ah! Heaven knows how well I love her, he said, turning to me with a deep, wistful look.
gpt
She loves me too, and the fact that she has sought to find out where I am shows that she thinks sometimes of me. But I mean to keep the resolve I made long ago, for under an assumed name and in the Spahis she will never discover me.
human
Now that De Largentiere is Governor, he is all-powerful, I observed.
gpt
I wonder what he would do if he discovered you, and found out that you held absolute proof of his guilt?
human
Cr-r-r! he exclaimed, as with a sad smile he drew his finger across his throat.
gpt
If he dared not commit the crime himself, he would hire one of the many obliging Arab desperadoes who hang about the fringe of the Desert.
human
Yes, I said.
gpt
He would, no doubt, make some serious attempt to seal your lips.
human
I shall give him no opportunity. As far as I am concerned, he will, for Violet's sake, enjoy his reputation for honesty and uprightness, he declared. Then he added quickly,
gpt
But why should we drift to a subject that is to me so painful? The romance of my life has ended. I am a derelict, a piece of human wreckage drifting helplessly upon the sea of despair.
human
So am I, I said gloomily.
gpt
Only I am struggling to reach a landmark that will direct me to a harbour of refuge.
human
I scarcely follow you, he observed, suddenly interested.
gpt
That you have some very strong motive for spending your days in these uncivilised regions seems certain, but as you have never exchanged confidences with me, I remain in ignorance. Is it in your case also a woman?
human
Tell me about her. Who is she?
gpt
I love Zoraida!
human
Zoraida! he cried, starting up.
gpt
Surely you don't mean the woman of the Ennitra, known as Daughter of the Sun?
human
The same, I replied.
gpt
You may laugh, sneer, tell me I am a dreamer, dazzled by the glitter and splendour of an Eastern court, fascinated by a pair of kohl-darkened eyes and a forehead hung with sequins, but, nevertheless, the fact remains that she and I love each another.
human
It seems impossible, he said.
gpt
You have actually looked upon her unveiled, and spoken with her, then?
human
Yes. Why?
gpt
Because it is death to an Infidel to either look upon her countenance or seek to address her. While a prisoner in Hadj Absalam's palace, I heard most extraordinary things regarding her. The terrible story was told me how, on one occasion, three Chasseurs, held captive by the old robber, had, by the purest accident, discovered her passing unveiled from the court of the palace guards into the harem. Amazed at her extraordinary beauty, they stood gazing at her, but those looks of admiration cost them their lives. Their gaze, it was alleged, had polluted her, and within an hour their heads were smote off and their bodies thrown to the dogs.
human
Then you have never seen her?
gpt
No. During the time I was in the hands of the Ennitra, she was absent. Many were the strange rumours I heard about her, however: how she was possessed of almost supernatural power, how she had planned most of the raiding expeditions of Hadj Absalam, how she ruled the fierce band as their Queen, and, attired as a youth, had actually led them successfully against our forces! I can scarcely believe it all, but the palace guards assured me that all they told me was the unexaggerated truth. Six months ago the Government issued a proclamation, offering two rewards of ten thousand francs each for the capture of Hadj Absalam and Zoraida.
human
I know what you have heard is the truth, from personal observation,
gpt
Tell me all about her, he urged.
human
How a Christian could succeed in approaching her, judging from all I have heard as to the rigorous manner in which she is guarded, seems absolutely incomprehensible.
gpt
It forms a strange story,