He did not speak for a moment. Then he said slowly; "It is a grief to deny thee anything, oh Rose, but the secret is not mine to tell, even to thee."
"The secret!" she echoed. "Thou hast never called it a secret."
"If I did not use that word, did I not give thee to understand the same thing?"
"Thou meanest, the secret about Cassim, my sister's husband?"
"Cassim ben Halim has ceased to live."
Victoria gave a little cry. "Dead! But thou hast made me believe, in spite of the rumours, that he lived."
"I cannot explain to thee," Maïeddine answered gloomily, as if hating to refuse her anything. "In the end, thou wilt know all, and why I had to be silent."
"But my sister?" the girl pleaded. "There is no mystery about her? Thou hast concealed nothing which concerns Saidee?"
"Thou hast my word that I will take thee to the place where she is. Thou gavest me thy trust. Give it me again."