Mariam, the old negress, was asleep at the foot of the tree, holding in her hands the small mortar in which she had bruised the coffee to supply the demands of her mistress. Baïla, half dozing, was holding out, mechanically, toward her the china cup, when a man suddenly appeared between the two palm trees.
At the sight of him the odalisk at first thought she was dreaming; then, restrained by a feeling, perhaps of alarm, perhaps of curiosity, remained quiet, immovable, without speaking—only the cup which she held fell from her hands.
The stranger, who was a young Frank, having first made a motion as of flight, became emboldened and approached her, with a heightened color and trembling lips, arising from a too lively emotion or from an excess of prudence on account of the negress. He merely inquired from Baïla the way to the city.
He expressed himself very well in Turkish; she did not appear, however, to understand him. What! a stranger, eluding the vigilance of guards, had crossed the double circuit of the gardens which enclosed her—had braved death—merely to ask his way!
Restored to a feeling of her situation, she rose, with an offended air, drew from her girdle a small dagger, ornamented with diamonds—a plaything, rather than offensive or defensive arms—and made an imperious sign to him to retire.
The young man recoiled before the beautiful slave, with an appearance of contriteness and embarrassment, but without ceasing to regard her earnestly. He appeared to be unable to remove his eyes from the picture which had riveted his attention; still, however, undecided and muttering confused words, he was crossing the porch of the palm trees, when the negress suddenly awoke.
At the sight of the shadow of a man, which reached into the enclosure, she sprang up, uttering a cry of alarm.
“What are you doing?” said Baïla, placing herself before her, doubtless from a feeling of pity toward the imprudent youth.
“But that shadow—do you not see it? It is that of a man!”
“Of a bostangy! Who else would have dared to enter here?”