human
Didn't you think it queer that no one but a servant came out to see me off?
gpt
I did a little, but I put it down to Arab manners.
human
It was because I left in disgrace. Oh! no one was ever rude! They were polite always. It was like being stuffed with too much honey. And I don't mean Ourïeda, of course. Ourïeda's a darling. I'd do anything for her. I've proved that! Did my father give you any idea why he had to send for me in a hurry, though he has to leave me alone--or rather in charge of people I don't know--at Bel-Abbés? He must have told you something, as he asked such a sacrifice.
gpt
He needn't have told me anything at all. But he took me into his confidence--it was like him--far enough to say the Agha was offended somehow, and you were anxious to leave.
human
I should think the Agha _was_ offended! I tried to help Ourïeda to escape, even though she hadn't heard from her Manöel. She had lots of jewels, and thought she might get to France. We failed in our attempt, and after that we were never alone together, though they--her father and aunt--didn't want me to go till she was married. The idea at first was--when I arrived, I mean--that my visit shouldn't end till father came back. They meant me to stop on with Ourïeda, as she and her husband would live at her old home at Djazerta. The last plot wasn't mine. It was got up by an old nurse they'd sent away, and a weird woman, a kind of Arab beauty-doctor. But all the same they were afraid of me. They longed to have me gone, yet, for their own superstitious, secretive reasons, they were afraid to let me go. As I _had_ to stay so long, I'd rather have stopped a little longer, so as to know what becomes of Ourïeda. They made me say good-bye to her in Tahar's tent, where she is waiting, all dressed up like a doll, till the hour at night when her husband chooses to come to her. Instead, we hope---- But I can hardly bear it, not to know! Shall we _ever_ know?
gpt
It may be a long time before Manöel can send us any word, said Max.
human
But we shall hear, I suppose, about Tahar.
gpt
Oh, Manöel doesn't mean to _kill_ him, does he? Ourïeda said he wouldn't do that! But Arab women are so strange, so different from us, I don't believe she'd care much if he did; except that if he were a murderer they could seize him, even in another country--Spain, where they both hope to go when they can get out of Djazerta.
human
Manöel wouldn't care much, either, except for that same reason, Max admitted.
gpt
But he does care for that. He intends only to surprise and stun Tahar. He doesn't want his life with Ourïeda spoiled, for he'll be a public character, you know, if he succeeds in escaping from Algeria. He'll be a great singer. He can take back his own name.
human
Why not France? Sanda wanted to know.
gpt
Surely France would be better for a singer than Spain, or even Italy?
human
Perhaps, but, you see, he has had to desert from the Legion. In France he could be brought back to Algeria to the penal battalion.
gpt
Oh, I hadn't thought of that!
human
It was--a hateful necessity, his deserting.
gpt
Will it make trouble for you?
human
Possibly. I hoped it needn't happen. But it had to. There was no other way in the end.
gpt
How he must love Ourïeda, to risk all that for her sake!
human
He risked a great deal more.
gpt
What--but, oh, yes, you told me! The way he came into the Legion, and all that. I wonder--I wonder if there are many men in the world who would do as much for a woman?
human
I think so, said Max quietly.
gpt
You don't count the cost very much when you are in love.
human
They're wonderful, men like that! Sanda murmured.
gpt
And there's more risk to come, for Ourïeda and himself. A little for us, too, isn't there?
human
Not for you, please God! And very little for any of us. But I see you know what Manöel expects to happen.
gpt
Oh, yes, that they'll run after us, thinking that he has followed with Ourïeda, to join our caravan. I do hope the Agha will send his men after us, for that will make us sure those two have got away. If we hear sounds of pursuit we'll hurry on quickly. Then the chase will have farther to go back, and Manöel and Ourïeda will gain time. The more ground we can cover before we're come up with by the Agha's camels, who'll be superior to ours, the better it will be, won't it?
human
Yes, for if the Agha lets Djazerta alone, Manöel may contrive to slip out of the town sooner than he dared hope, well disguised, in a caravan of strangers not of Ben Râana's tribe. In that case the Agha of Djazerta would have no right to search among the women. And Manöel's splendid at disguise. His actor's training has taught him that.
gpt
I feel now that he _will_ get Ourïeda out of the country. They've suffered too much and dared too much to fail in the end.
human
I hope so; I think so,
gpt
Do you think they'll have found Tahar yet if--if----
human
Hardly yet! Not till daylight, answered Max.
gpt
Are you cold? These desert nights can be bitter, even in summer. Won't you let me put something more around you?
human
No, thanks. It's only excitement that makes me shiver. I'm thinking of Ourïeda and Manöel. I've been thinking of them instead of sleeping. But I'm not tired. I feel all keyed up; as if something wonderful were going to happen to me, too.
gpt
Maud --
human
Let come what come may; What matter if I go mad, I shall have had my day!