"I believe you were taking a nap."
She got up.
"To tell the truth, I was almost asleep."
She stood up, put her hands to her hat, to her hair, and with a slight but very intelligent movement sent the skirt of her gown into place.
"Let me out," she said.
Nigel drew back, and she stepped out upon the balcony, where Baroudi was leaning upon the railing, looking over the sunlit Nile. He turned round slowly and very calmly to meet her, moving with the almost measured ease of the very supple and strong man, drew forward a basket chair, arranged a cushion for her politely, but rather carelessly, and not at all cleverly, and said, as she sat down:
"You like the heart of my Eastern house?"
"How do you manage the fountain?" she asked.
He embarked upon a clear and technical explanation, but when he had said a very few words, she stopped him.
"Please don't! You are spoiling my whole impression. I oughtn't to have asked."