human
What must I do? I asked breathless, at last.
gpt
How can I save thee?
human
By performing the mission thou hast promised,
gpt
That I will do most willingly,
human
Then lo! here is the Crescent of Glorious Wonders, she said, producing that mysterious object from between the cushions of her divan,
gpt
But must I be absent from thee long?
human
I know not. Thy mission may perchance occupy thee many days.
gpt
And in the meantime thou mayest be forced to become the wife of that brute, Hadj Absalam!
human
Never! she cried, setting her teeth.
gpt
I will kill myself!
human
Is it imperative that I should be absent from thy side in this the hour of thy peril?
gpt
Yes. Seek the _imam_ to-night, ere it be too late. Whatever he telleth thee, investigate at all cost. If thou art successful in obtaining a revelation of the Wondrous Mystery, assuredly thou wilt save me from a fate that I fear worse than the grave.
human
Trust me, O Zoraida! I answered, kissing her fervently, as I took the Crescent and the scrap of paper, concealing them in my clothing.
gpt
On leaving thee, I will not halt until I have found the holy man, and have gained from him that knowledge which he alone can give. But what of thee? While I am absent, thou wilt be friendless!
human
Allah, the One Merciful, all things discerneth; to us shall it be as He willeth,
gpt
If thou art, alas! forced to become Queen of this kingdom of murderers! If thou art--
human
I am a follower of the Faith, and place my trust in the Uniter of the Lover and Beloved, she interrupted softly, clasping me in her clinging arms.
gpt
By woman's wit I may perchance escape the hateful doom that Hadj Absalam hath devised, under the advice of our enemy, Labakan; therefore let the burdens of my peril be uplifted from thine heart. Seek the director of those who tread the Path, and attend with faith and minuteness unto his instructions.
human
The thought that we may be for ever parted must fill me until my return, I said.
gpt
But canst thou not fly with me, even now?
human
Alas! no, she answered gloomily.
gpt
Escape ere thou hast fathomed the Great Mystery is impossible. I must abide in patience, overshadowed by deadly peril and the dread thought that we may never meet again. But -- and she hesitated--
human
What wouldst thou know?
gpt
Tell me, she said, burying her head upon my breast--
human
Tell me if thou wilt forgive me for--for the awful massacre that hath to-day been committed?
gpt
Forgive thee! I cried, my kisses warming her waxen hands.
human
Of course I do. Forced to occupy a strange position, thou canst not struggle against thy fate, therefore the horrible butchery is due to neither plot nor strategy of thine, but to the fierce avarice and brutal bloodthirstiness of those who now prove themselves thine enemies.
gpt
Ah! verily thou art generous! she exclaimed, with tears in her luminous eyes, around which dark rings were showing.
human
The life of cities, as the life of men, is a vain and uncertain thing, and none knoweth the weal or ill thereof, and none knoweth the end or the way of the end, save only Allah. To thee I entrust my life. Go! seek the key to the Great Mystery, the knife by which my bonds can only be severed. I will fight to preserve mine honour until I die. I am thine until the heavens shall be cloven in sunder, and the stars shall be scattered. May Allah shadow thee in His shadow, and give unto thee strength to perform in faithfulness thy covenant! May He bless and preserve thee, and may He cause thee to drink from the cup of His Prophet, Mohammed, that pleasant draught, after which there is no thirst to all eternity! It is time, O Cecil! Go!
gpt
Farewell, my one beloved, I said, with a lingering kiss, as her fair head still rested upon my breast.
human
May the One who sweepeth away darkness guard thee and disappoint not thine hopes! Verily will I set out upon this mission at once, for as steadfastly true thou art unto me, so am I unto thee.