human
Thou hast not forgotten me, then?
gpt
No, I replied.
human
How can I ever forget thee?
gpt
Already Allah, the Most Merciful, hath directed thy footsteps and vouchsafed me the felicity of conversing with thee. Thou hast kept thy promise unto me, O Cecil, for when the _homards_ would follow us, thou didst not betray our whereabouts. Therefore I trust thee.
human
I assure thee that any confidence thou placest in me shall never be abused, I replied.
gpt
Yet, I added,
human
Why?
gpt
Still hidden from my gaze is that countenance I am longing to look upon.
human
Wouldst thou have me cast aside my religion? I am a woman; remember what is written,
gpt
The adoration of the Christian is none the less passionate than the love of the True Believer, I said.
human
A woman is not defiled by the gaze of the man she loveth. But, I added thoughtfully,
gpt
Thou--thou thinkest I can care nothing for thee--a Roumi? Why?
human
Because of thy refusal to unveil.
gpt
Then, though I cast aside the creed of my forefathers and the commands of the Prophet, I give thee definite answer. See!