human
It is mine, she said,
gpt
No, I promise to preserve thy secret,
human
Is thy decision utterly irrevocable? May I not look for once upon thy face? Think, I have been delivered from a horrible death, yet to recognise my deliverer again will be impossible!
gpt
You and I are strangers, she replied slowly.
human
Thou art a European, while I am a homeless wanderer of the desert. If thine eyes do not gaze upon my countenance, I shall have committed one sin the less, and thou wilt never be troubled by any recollections. Memories are apt to be tiresome sometimes, and it is written that the True Believer is--
gpt
With me thy memory will always remain that of a brave, tender, but mysterious woman, to whom I owe my life.
human
That is how I wish thee to think of me. Perhaps I too may remember thee sometimes, though it would be sinful for me to do so. What is thy name?
gpt
Cecil Holcombe.
human
And thine?
gpt
Mount, and go, she said.
human
I--I have risked too much. Besides, thou mayest not discover who I really am. It would be _fatal_!
gpt
But thy name? I urged. She seemed bent upon preserving her incognita, and I was growing impatient. That she was lovely I felt sure. No face could be ugly with those magnificent eyes.
human
Surely thou wilt not withhold from me thy name?
gpt
I am called Zoraida.
human
The daughter of whom?
gpt
Daughter of the Sun,
human
Then thou wilt not tell me the name of thy father?
gpt
No. To thee I am only Zoraida. My father's name is of no concern.
human
And may I not carry with me some little souvenir of this strange meeting?
gpt
When thou art far beyond the mountains, this will remind thee how near thou hast been to death; adding anxiously,
human
Now go, I beg. See! the sun will soon break forth! Do not tarry another instant--for my sake!
gpt
Zoraida, shall we never meet again? I asked desperately, for the mystery surrounding her and her strange words caused me to forget the danger of lingering.
human
Art thou never in Algiers or Oran, or any of the towns by the sea?
gpt
Sometimes in Algiers. But very, very seldom. Yet even if I were, we could not meet. The Koran forbids.
human
When wilt thou visit Algiers again?
gpt
Perhaps in the month of Rbi-el-tani. Then I go to the koubba of Sidi-Djebbar.
human
On what day?
gpt
Probably on the first Al-go'omah, she replied.
human
But why dost thou ask? To attempt to meet again would only bring disgrace upon me-- perhaps death. Thou knowest full well how strict is our religion, and how terrible is the punishment meted out to those of my sex who hold converse with the Roumis.
gpt
Yes, alas! I said.
human
Nevertheless, we shall meet again, I feel certain, because we--
gpt
I make no promise. But if ever we chance to cross each other's path, thou wilt not compromise me in the eyes of my people?
human
Never, I replied, fervently.
gpt
None shall ever know of our meeting.
human
Now mount and go, or we shall be discovered, she begged, in evident alarm.
gpt
Remember the directions I have given thee, and know that thou hast my blessing.