"Three men are rapidly approaching," he said, hastily, in a whisper. "They are almost here!"
Zuleika looked, in her turn, through the branches.
"The gardener and his assistants," she whispered, nearly petrified by consternation. "They have evidently learned that you scaled the wall and are in quest of you!"
"See," said Giovanni, breathlessly, pointing to a group behind the men. "A number of nuns are also coming!"
"They are searching for me! Oh! Giovanni, fly, fly instantly!"
"And leave you to suffer, to bear the weight of my imprudence! Never! I will stay and protect you!"
"You will not protect me by remaining. You will only compromise us both the more. Go, I beseech you, go, while there is yet time!"
With tears in her imploring eyes, Zuleika pushed her lover gently towards the wall. He gazed at her for an instant and then at the approaching men and nuns, who were now very near.
The girl clasped her hands supplicatingly, then mutely pointed to the wall.
"It is your wish?" asked Massetti, hurriedly.