按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
minds were more akin to his than the minds of the Arabs who had been
their only companions。 She began to imagine him with her in civilised
places； to be able to imagine him。 And she was glad they had come to
Amara and confirmed in her resolve to stay on there。 She even began to
wish that the French officers quartered therefew in number； some
five or sixwould find them in the sand； and that Androvsky would
offer them hospitality。 It occurred to her that it was not quite
wholesome for a man to live in isolation from his fellow…men； even
with the woman he loved； and she determined that she would not be
selfish in her love； that she would think for Androvsky； act for him；
even against her own inclination。 Perhaps his idea of life in an oasis
apart from Europeans was one she ought to combat； though it fascinated
her。 Perhaps it would be stronger； more sane； to face a more ordinary；
less dreamy； life； in which they would meet with people； in which they
would inevitably find themselves confronted with duties。 She felt
powerful enough in that moment to do anything that would make for
Androvsky's welfare of soul。 His body was strong and at ease。 She
thought of him going away with the priest in friendly conversation。
How splendid it would be if she could feel some day that the health of
his soul accorded completely with that of his body！
〃Batouch！〃 she called almost gaily。
Batouch appeared； languidly smoking a cigarette； and with a large
flower tied to a twig protending from behind his ear。
〃Saddle the horses。 Monsieur has gone with the Pere Beret。 I shall
take a ride； just a short ride round the camp over therein at the
city gate； through the market…place； and home。 You will come with me。〃
Batouch threw away his cigarette with energy。 Poet though he was； all
the Arab blood in him responded to the thought of a gallop over the
sands。 Within a few minutes they were off。 When she was in the saddle
it was at all times difficult for Domini to be sad or even pensive。
She had a native passion for a good horse； and riding was one of the
joys； and almost the keenest； of her life。 She felt powerful when she
had a spirited； fiery animal under her； and the wide spaces of the
desert summoned speed as they summoned dreams。 She and Batouch went
away at a rapid pace； circled round the Arab cemetery； made a detour
towards the south； and then cantered into the midst of the camps of
the Ouled Nails。 It was the hour of the siesta。 Only a few people were
stirring； coming and going over the dunes to and from the city on
languid errands for the women of the tents； who reclined in the shade
of their brushwood arbours upon filthy cushions and heaps of multi…
coloured rags； smoking cigarettes； playing cards with Arab and negro
admirers； or staring into vacancy beneath their heavy eyebrows as they
listened to the sound of music played upon long pipes of reed。 No dogs
barked in their camp。 The only guardians were old women； whose sandy
faces were scored with innumerable wrinkles； and whose withered hands
drooped under their loads of barbaric rings and bracelets。 Batouch
would evidently have liked to dismount here。 Like all Arabs he was
fascinated by the sight of these idols of the waste； whose painted
faces called to the surface the fluid poetry within him； but Domini
rode on； descending towards the city gate by which she had first
entered Amara。 The priest's house was there and Androvsky was with the
priest。 She hoped he had perhaps gone in to return the visit paid to
them。 As she rode into the city she glanced at the house。 The door was
open and she saw the gay rugs in the little hall。 She had a strong
inclination to stop and ask if her husband were there。 He might mount
Batouch's horse and accompany her home。
〃Batouch；〃 she said； 〃will you ask if Monsieur Androvsky is with Pere
Beret。 I think〃
She stopped speaking。 She had just seen her husband's face pass across
the window…space of the room on the right…hand side of the hall door。
She could not see it very well。 The arcade built out beyond the house
cast a deep shade within； and in this shade the face had flitted like
a shadow。 Batouch had sprung from his horse。 But the sight of the
shadowy face had changed her mind。 She resolved not to interrupt the
two men。 Long ago at Beni…Mora she had asked Androvsky to call upon a
priest。 She remembered the sequel to that visit。 This time Androvsky
had gone of his own will。 If he liked this priest； if they became
friends； perhapsshe remembered her vision in the dancing…house； her
feeling that when she drew near Amara she was drawing near to the
heart of the desert。 If she should see Androvsky praying here！ Yet
Father Beret hardly seemed a man likely to influence her husband； or
anyone with a strong and serious personality。 He was surely too fond
of the things of this world； too obviously a lover and cherisher of
the body。 Nevertheless； there was something attractive in him； a
kindness； a geniality。 In trouble he would be sympathetic。 Certainly
her husband must have taken a liking to him； and the chances of life
and the influences of destiny were strange and not to be foreseen。
〃No； Batouch；〃 she said。 〃We won't stop。〃
〃But； Madame；〃 he cried； 〃Monsieur is in there。 I saw his face at the
window。〃
〃Never mind。 We won't disturb them。 I daresay they have something to
talk about。〃
They cantered on towards the market…place。 It was not market…day； and
the town； like the camp of the Ouled Nails； was almost deserted。 As
she rode up the hill towards the place of the fountain； however； she
saw two handsomely…dressed Arabs； followed by a servant； slowly
strolling towards her from the doorway of the Bureau Arabe。 One； who
was very tall； was dressed in green； and carried a long staff； from
which hung green ribbons。 The other wore a more ordinary costume of
white； with a white burnous and a turban spangled with gold。
〃Madame！〃 said Batouch。
〃Yes。〃
〃Do you see the Arab dressed in green？〃
He spoke in an almost awestruck voice。
〃Yes。 Who is he？〃
〃The great marabout who lives at Beni…Hassan。〃
The name struck upon Domini's ear with a strange familiarity。
〃But that's where Count Anteoni went when he rode away from Beni…Mora
that morning。〃
〃Yes； Madame。〃
〃Is it far from Amara？〃
〃Two hours' ride across the desert。〃
〃But then Count Anteoni may be near us。 After he left he wrote to me
and gave me his address at the marabout's house。〃
〃If he is still with the marabout； Madame。〃
They were close to the fountain now； and the marabout and his
companion were coming straight towards them。
〃If Madame will allow me I will salute the marabout；〃 said Batouch。
〃Certainly。〃
He sprang off his horse immediately； tied it up to the railing of the
fountain； and went respectfully towards the approaching potentate to
kiss his hand。 Domini saw the marabout stop and Batouch bend down；
then lift himself up and suddenly move back as if in surprise。 The
Arab who was with the marabout seemed also surprised。 He held out his
hand to Batouch； who took it； kissed it； then kissed his own hand； and
turning； pointed towards Domini。 The Arab spoke a word to the
marab