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"In pity save Iskender from those hounds of hell! All that they speak against him is a lie. It was the Frank led him astray, not he the Frank. I guessed he would fly straight to thee, the known friend and protector of the wronged, and my soul desired to be with him and hear his story."
Iskender had the feelings of a murderer as he looked on. Their patron stroked his small moustache and smiled uneasily. "You not go like that, sir!" pursued Elias, starting up. "It is a shame for you! I go to the consul now direc'ly; make him a-stob you! Now I'm off! My friends of which I sbeak lif long way off; but I be back with them in two days, the time you start. Bromise to wait till then!
"What matter!" rejoined Iskender, with a listless shrug. "My ambition is to visit the country of the Franks and gain the honour of a mighty painter." His mother stretched out her hands to heaven, screaming: "Hear him, Allah! Is he not bewitched? Desire of the lady Hilda has made him mad. O Holy Maryam, O Mar Jiryis and all saints, condemn those who have led him thus to ruin.
Is not my discretion known? Have I not always stood thy friend? By Allah, I will keep the matter secret, if that is thy desire. Tell me, me only, O my soul thy brother Asad!" Still Iskender only answered: "Allah is bountiful!" In truth the tidings of the Emîr's relapse concerned him not at all.
"They hate me very much there," said Iskender miserably. "I fear they tell you things not true about me." "I know the truth from you, don't I? Let them say what they like!"
On the next day Elias came to visit him, without malice for the past or the slightest recollection of ever in his life having slandered his good friend, now his brother in the faith. All his thoughts were of Wady 'l Mulûk. Had Iskender been there? No? Well, how was that? Iskender confessed that he had lost the description of its whereabouts, and his memory had played him false.
The words struck like bullets on Iskender's heart, they so cruelly confirmed the tale of Asad son of Costantîn. Elias arrived, and asked him how he did. Iskender made known his tidings in a voice half-choked by grief. "Was any word said against me?" asked the dragoman eagerly. Iskender shook his head. "The praise to Allah! Take heart, O my soul! If I am still in favour, I can plead for thee."
He said: "His Honour is still in his chamber; he objects to be disturbed while dressing. Nevertheless, since thy cause is urgent, I will crave an audience." "Our Lord reward thee," sobbed Elias gratefully. Iskender repaired to the hotel kitchen, and spent some minutes talking to the cook, who was his friend, before he returned and said: "His Highness will not hear me.
"These are devil's wiles. May Allah blast thy life, unnatural woman, thus to tempt thy son to sell his soul, his part in everlasting life, for earthly gain." Iskender took her in his arms and silenced her; then turned to pacify his mother, who was much incensed. Had she thought for herself at all?
It was dark when they reached the appointed halting-place, in a wady of the foothills, close to a village which possessed a spring of water. They found their tent well-pitched, a good fire burning in the shelter of a cunning wind-screen, and the kettle boiling. They had tea at once, and afterwards Iskender went to cook the supper. His lord soon followed with desire to help.
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