human
The power that draweth us together; the influence that causeth us to love each other.
gpt
But why didst thou urge thy Ruler to compel me to become a freebooter?
human
It was my last extremity, she said.
gpt
I pleaded for thee, and--almost failed. To fight beside us is thine only chance of reaching Agadez, and of finding he whom thou seekest.
human
To be near unto thee I am prepared to join thy people, even though they are mine enemies,
gpt
Although thou wilt be near me, thou must never seek to have speech with me, she exclaimed quickly.
human
We meet here at imminent risk, but we must not again invite the wrath of those who desire thy death. To thee I must be as a stranger, for remember that thou art a Roumi, and thy very glance defileth mine unveiled face!
gpt
Ah! the religious prejudices of thy people are indeed curious, I said.
human
How long must we affect this estrangement?
gpt
Until Agadez hath fallen, and thine errand be accomplished.
human
But if thou hast the Crescent in thy possession, canst thou not snap thy bonds and escape with me? I suggested.
gpt
Surely thy place is not upon the field of battle, amid the carnage that must inevitably ensue from such a combat?
human
Impossible! she answered, moving uneasily, and wafting to me the sweet perfume that clung to her draperies. She was agitated, for her hand holding mine trembled violently, and her lips were tightly compressed.
gpt
The Bond of Blood bindeth me more firmly than fetters of steel, and if I attempted to desert the camp, the death of both of us would be inevitable. No! To Agadez must we advance. From to-day thou art an outlaw of the plains, and I am thy leader! Obey me, but speak not; for upon thy silence and obedience dependeth thy life. Hidden in my possession the Crescent will remain until such time as thou wilt require it; then, once inside the Great Mosque, the secret knowledge will be imparted unto thee, and will peradventure be of profit.
human
It grieveth me sorely to think that thou, the woman I adore, art the head of this fierce band of murderous marauders, and wilt lead them to commit merciless massacre and pillage, to--
gpt
Ah, no! she cried, raising both her hands as if to arrest my words.
human
Reproach me not, O Ce-cil! I cannot bear it _from thee_! Thinkest thou that were I not compelled, I would be the cause of this widespread death and desolation; thinkest thou that I would urge onward these wild hordes to deeds horrible and revolting? Thou believest I have a heart of stone, that I have no woman's tenderness, that--that I, a woman of the Desert, am
gpt
No, Zoraida, I blame thee not, I tenderly hastened to reassure her.
human
I know there are circumstances connected with thine hidden past of which I have no knowledge, therefore I love thee fondly, awaiting the time when thou art enabled to renounce thy people and become my wife.
gpt
What canst thou think of a woman such as I? she sobbed bitterly.
human
Even to thee, so faithful as thou hast been, I am compelled to still preserve my secret, appearing in thine eyes as one to whom the clash of arms is sweeter than the music of the _derbouka_, and the wail of the vanquished the pleasantest sound upon mine ear!
gpt
But thy position is not of thine own choosing,
human
No! she cried wildly, starting up.
gpt
I hate it all! Though each raid enricheth me with gold and jewels of great price, yet there is a curse upon the treasure, obtained, as it is, by the relentless slaughter of the weak. Ah, Ce-cil! if thou couldst only know how acutely I suffer, how these jewels upon me glitter with the fire of deadly hatred as each one telleth its mute but horrible story, a story of rapine and murder for which I--the woman thou lovest, the woman who would willingly give her life for thee--am responsible! Is not my existence one of hollow shams, of feigned daring and wretched duplicity? I loathe myself; and were it not that I look forward to happiness with thee, I would--I would end it all with this!
human
Speak not of that, I said firmly.
gpt
Place thy knife in its sheath. I love thee, Zoraida, I trust in thee, and none shall ever come between us.
human
Dost thou place thy faith in me implicitly, notwithstanding that I appear in thine eyes debased, and am unable to give thee explanation?