Scene Six
Zoraya, Aisha, Fatoum
Aisha raises the portière at the left to admit Fatoum, an old Moorish woman, who has been converted.
Zoraya. Come forward!
Fatoum. (She goes to Zoraya, who is seated, kneels and kisses the hem of her skirt) May Allah be merciful to you and rain his gifts upon you!
Zoraya. (Severely) Dare you pronounce His sacred name, you who have renounced the God of your fathers! Take care that He does not hear you!
Fatoum. He reads my heart and sees that I am converted only because I do not want to be separated from the child, whom I have brought here.
Zoraya. Your daughter?
Fatoum. By birth, no, Zoraya; by affection, ah! certainly, yes! She was ten years old when her mother died, and I have reared her.
Zoraya. A Spaniard?
Fatoum. Yes! You alone can heal her.
Zoraya. That is a case for the Christian physicians.
Fatoum. They know little or nothing. I have come to you because your father—on him rested Allah’s benediction—was their master in everything and taught you the secrets of his art.
Zoraya. Well, who is she?
Fatoum. She consented to come only when I promised not to reveal her name.
Zoraya. Then she may go!
Fatoum. Zoraya, have pity! This child’s father is a hardened Catholic!—If he knew that I had taken his daughter to a Moor’s home, I would be cruelly punished! Out of fondness for me, she keeps it a secret!
Zoraya. She need not know that you have betrayed it.
Fatoum. If you promise me——
Zoraya. Yes, I promise!—Who is she?
Fatoum. Doña Joana, daughter of the Governor of Toledo!
Zoraya. (Quickly rising) That madman who is hunting our refugees in the Sierra and killing them without pity!
Fatoum. Allah, the Most High, rewards the faithful for their sufferings! This child is innocent of her father’s cruelties. She is charitable and good, the same as we ourselves. Moreover, she is very pious. She has been out of the convent only four days and will be married today.
Zoraya. Ah! those bells!
Fatoum. Her marriage! In order to have her visit you we have taken advantage of a journey to the convent of Mercy on this beautiful morning to ask the benediction of the abbess.
Zoraya. The convent of Mercy!—In it is confined the poor creature who loved Kalem, whom they stoned to death.
Fatoum. I do not know.
Zoraya. I, myself, know it—and I shall tell Joana my price for healing her—Let her enter!
Aisha and Fatoum go out and return, bringing in Joana.