‘Holy Alla!’ exclaimed the woman, ‘thou wilt not go to him, Khanum?’
‘Ay will I, Sozun; my heart burns, my soul is on fire! can I bear this for weeks and months? am I a stone? I tell thee nay; but a daring, loving woman, whose thoughts, night and day, are fixed on one object; it is now within my grasp, and the moment urges. Come, I am ready; take thy sheet and wrap thyself—thou knowest the way.’
‘It is in vain for thee to go, Khanum; wilt thou eat shame? hast thou no pride?—a woman to seek him who spurns her love!’
‘Peace, fool! he has not seen me yet. Come, and delay no longer. I command thee; the way is short, and methinks I am already in his embrace. Quick! see, I am ready.’
‘If thy absence should be discovered, lady?’
‘I care not; I will say boldly I go to my mother; come, why dost thou delay?’
Sozun knew her mistress’s character too well to dare a refusal, and she wrapped herself closely and preceded her. As they descended the stairs they met a servant. ‘I go to my mother’s for a while—let no one follow me,’ said the lady, and passed on. In a few moments they had quitted the house and were in the open street.
‘Lend me thine arm, Sozun,’ said the lady in a whisper: ‘I tremble much, and the night is dark, very dark; I did not think it would be so fearful. Alla! how the clouds scurry along the heavens, and how the wind moans and sighs.’
‘We had better return, Khanum.’
‘No, no, not for worlds! I must see him;—quick! give me thine arm and lead on!’