Scene One
Aisha, Zaguir
Aisha draws open the curtains in the right arch. Zaguir appears at the foot in the garden and cautiously calls Aisha.
Zaguir. My aunt!—My aunt!
Aisha. (In an undertone, turning) What?—Who?—Who is calling me out there?
Zaguir. (In the same voice) I have something important to tell you while the mistress is still here.
Aisha. Something serious?
Zaguir. Yes.
Aisha. Then come in and speak quickly. (Zaguir goes toward her) What is it?
Zaguir. Here!—last night at sunset, I saw sitting and conversing near the path which leads down toward the bridge of San Martino, perhaps a hundred paces or more from this house, two men who were not mere passers-by, or residents of this neighborhood. When the sun rose this morning they were still there, lying behind some fig trees, as if they had passed the night in watching.
Aisha. (Disturbed) The same!—you are positive?
Zaguir. Positive!—They are still there. You can see them. (They cautiously go to the terrace at right) Stop! they are standing at present.
Aisha. There are three of them!
Zaguir. Yes!—the one with the grizzled beard was not there. He has just arrived.
Aisha. Be careful in returning. (She returns to the center of the scene.)
Zaguir. (The same) As they have been there since last evening, it must be that they are lying in wait for some one.
Aisha. And whom?
Zaguir. (With embarrassment) Perhaps those who come at night and return at dawn.
Aisha. (Severely) What did you say?
Zaguir. (Quickly) Don’t be angry—I am only warning you! Otherwise, I should have said nothing.
Aisha. And what do you know, naughty boy?
Zaguir. Only the worst of things. For example, that he comes down the slope and enters through the orchard gate, which has a key; that he steals along in the shadow of the arcades until he reaches here and that he goes away in a similar manner—on foot as he comes, without entrusting to us his horse.
Aisha. Above all you have not mentioned this?
Zaguir. Indeed to no person!—it is serious!
Aisha. He is a Moor, a refugee in the Sierra, a rebel who comes secretly to obtain medicine for his wife who is ill.
Zaguir. Poor woman!—to consume all the remedies which he has obtained every night during two months!
Aisha. You presumptuous boy!
Zaguir. Do not call me after all kinds of beasts, auntie dear! I don’t ask you who this unknown is; he concerns me not. But I know truly that I should be cut in pieces before I would whisper a word. You may tell your mistress that!
Aisha. Allah protect me! I shall not tell her that you know.
Zaguir. As you wish! But whisper to her that they are watching her house. (The bells again begin to ring.)
Aisha. And in vain for two days.
Zaguir. Yes, fortunately!—He did not come last night, or the night before.
Aisha. And Zoraya is worried enough!—Go, thou!—Quickly!—I hear her!
Zaguir is going out when Zoraya appears, parting the portières at the left.