human
Why canst thou not escape from here? I continued.
gpt
If danger threateneth, fly from it. I will assist thee. And is not Allah merciful? He giveth life and death.
human
she replied.
gpt
Yet to leave this place unobserved would be impossible. I have been able by a ruse to gain thine admittance here, but any attempt to leave would only result in my death.
human
Are not thy servants amenable to bribery?
gpt
Alas! as they are my slaves, so are they my gaolers. They are charged with my safe custody, and if I eluded their vigilance, they would pay the penalty of their negligence with their lives. Ah! thou knowest not the more terrible of the tortures practised by my people. Thou knowest not the Ennitra. Soon I shall return again to the Ahaggar, and then the Great Desert and the Atlas will separate us. For me escape is impossible. Thou wilt go to thine own land ere many moons, and--and forget me!
human
Never!
gpt
Thou wilt marry one of thine own women who have no prejudices, and who may go unveiled, like those who come to Mustapha at Ramadan.
human
No, Zoraida, I said;
gpt
I love only thee.
human
And thou art ready to serve me implicitly?
gpt
I am. Command me.
human
Then know, O Cecil, my life is at stake,
gpt
Why art thou threatened?
human
Because I--because I am guilty of a crime; I possess the secret of a hidden marvel. Having dared to penetrate the hideous mysteries of Eblis, one of them, undreamed of and astounding, hath been revealed unto me. Its knowledge placeth in my hands a secret power that I might use with fearful effect, but the awful curse hath now fallen upon me, and I am doomed. Only thy willing assistance can save me. Yet --and she paused.
gpt
Yet I feel doubtful whether thou, a Roumi, wouldst dare to undertake the mission that is necessary for my safety; whether thou couldst place sufficient confidence in me to carry out instructions which to thee may seem so extraordinary.
human
I have perfect trust in thee, I said.
gpt
I am ready from this moment to serve thee blindly, implicitly, if I can save thee and further the prospect of our marriage.
human
Marriage? No! no! Do not speak of it now, she exclaimed hastily.
gpt
Hast thou never heard of the truth uttered by our Harikar al-Hakim, who said, `Marriage is a joy for a month and a sorrow for a life, and the paying of settlements, and the breaking of the back under a load of misery, and the listening to a woman's tongue.' To thee I can promise nothing, for my life may end at any moment.
human
But thy death can be averted. How?
gpt
By rendering me assistance thou canst save me from the awful physical and mental torture--from the horrors of the grave. Wilt thou consent to become my secret agent?
human
Yes. I am ready to perform any task thou mayest require of me.
gpt
Then remember the oath of secrecy thou didst take before Messoudia brought thee hither; for, first of all, thou, trusting to thine own Deity, must enter with me into the presence of the Great Unknown.