human
Tell me, Zoraida, I said.
gpt
Tell me more of the strange scenes which I have just witnessed. What giveth thee the wondrous power to recall the dead from the grave, and invoke the assistance of the Great Unknown?
human
True, O Cecil, she exclaimed, after a short, silent interval,
gpt
I have power that is not vouchsafed to some; but what thou hast seen to-night is not so wonderful as the secret contained within this piece of Damascus steel;
human
What secret can a piece of metal possibly contain?
gpt
Thou thinkest that I fool thee, she answered in a tone of reproach.
human
I tell thee, nevertheless, that knowledge of certain things giveth me power over both friend and enemy, power that I use at will for good or for evil. They who are cursed from my lips find no solace in this life, and descend to Eblis, where hot winds blow and there is no water; but those who have my blessing prosper, grow wealthy, and find peace.
gpt
Have I thy blessing?
human
Thou hast, she murmured calmly, raising her lips to mine in a long, fierce caress.
gpt
My wishes are that thou mayest find happiness and riches, and that thou mayest receive the mercy of the Merciful is my heartfelt desire.
human
My only happiness is at thy side,
gpt
Ah! it is, alas! but brief, she replied, sighing.
human
There are circumstances which prevent our marriage--even though we love each other so well.
gpt
Circumstances? What are they? Tell me. Thou always speakest in enigmas.
human
The first and most serious is the uncertainty of my life. Even to-night I may die;
gpt
Absurd! I said.
human
What ground hast thou for such gloomy apprehensions? Art thou not safe here, surrounded by every luxury, with slaves to do thy bidding, and guarded from every evil?
gpt
Not from _every_ evil, she replied slowly.
human
When thou art absent, unhappiness consumeth me, and sadness, like a corrosive acid, eateth away all life and gaiety from mine heart.
gpt
But I may see thee more often, surely? How long wilt thou remain here?
human
I cannot tell, she answered, speaking like one in a dream.
gpt
To-morrow thou mayest only find my corpse.
human
Bah! Why entertain Despair when Joy desireth to dwell within thine heart? We love each other, and may meet often, even though these mysterious circumstances of which thou speakest may, for a time, prevent our marriage.
gpt
No. We must not meet, or our friendship may prove fatal. When I invited thee hither, it was to impart to thee the secret of the Crescent of Glorious Wonders that would give thee power to work for our mutual benefit. But, alas! thou, an infidel, mayest not learn the extraordinary truth; the Unseen hath decreed that thou shalt remain in the outer darkness called Ignorance.
human
But how can I act in order to break down this strange barrier that precludeth our happiness? Hast thou--hast thou already a _husband_?
gpt
If I had a husband, I should not ask thee hither, neither would I dare to enter the Kingdom of Shades with thee, a lover. To endeavour to learn my secret at present will be futile. Suffice it for thee to know that there is more mystery to penetrate than thou hast ever dreamed of, and that only by seeking knowledge from afar canst thou hope ever to bring us nearer to each other--to--
human
I am prepared to do anything, to go anywhere, to render thee service,
gpt
Then hearken, she said, raising herself upon her arm and looking earnestly at me.
human
The secret of this, the Crescent of Glorious Wonders, is forbidden thee; yet if thou darest to travel to a distant country far away over the waterless regions beyond the Touareg; if thou wilt penetrate the lands of hostile tribes in the disguise of a True Believer, thou canst learn that which will give thee wealth and power, and will at last bring us together.
gpt
To marry?
human
Yes. To marry.
gpt
Tell me all I must do, I exclaimed excitedly.
human
Can I learn that which thou callest the Great Secret?
gpt
Alas! it is impossible, she replied.
human
If thou wilt undertake this perilous journey, thou shalt carry with thee the Crescent of Glorious Wonders as my pledge that I do not deceive thee, and as a talisman which, if thou canst learn its secret, will make thee wealthy beyond the dreams of avarice.
gpt
But what of thyself--what of happiness with thee?
human
Until thou hast accomplished thy mission, I shall remain with my clansmen awaiting thee. Remember, whatever gossip thou mayest hear, or whatever may be revealed to thee about myself, seek no explanation. Set out upon thy journey as soon as possible, and travel on the wings of haste, for the way is long and the approach difficult. My movements concern thee not until thy return, for although to-night thou art here in the harem, do not forget the awful fate that awaiteth women of Al-Islam who hold converse with Infidels. Therefore, before I give thee instructions, swear by thine own Deity, thine Allah, to heed nothing that thou mayest see or hear concerning me, but perform thy journey speedily, and learn the Great Secret ere thou seekest any explanation.
gpt
I swear I will obey thee unswervingly. I will act upon thy commands as blindly and devotedly as I have to-night.
human
Then know, O Cecil, she said, regaining her feet slowly and standing erect before me,