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Updated: June 8, 2025
"Between nine and ten." She stood in the road, thinking. It had occurred to her that she had never seen moonrise in the desert. "And now it is" she looked at her watch "only eight." "Does Madame wish to see the moon come up pouring upon the palms " "Don't talk so much, Batouch," she said brusquely. To-night the easy and luscious imaginings of the poet worried her like the cry of a mosquito.
The dances of the Cafes Maures, the songs of the smokers of the keef, the long histories of the story-tellers between the lighted candles she wanted none of these, and, for a moment, she wished she were in London, Paris, any great capital that spent itself to suit the changing moods of men. With a sigh she got up and went out to the Arcade. Batouch joined her immediately.
After dinner Batouch came to the tent to suggest that they should go down with him into the city. Domini, feeling certain that Androvsky would not wish to go, at once refused, alleging that she was tired. Batouch then asked Androvsky to go with him, and, to Domini's astonishment, he said that if she did not mind his leaving her for a short time he would like a stroll.
His long eyes were full of mystery, and he moved towards the staircase. "Come, Madame." Domini laughed and followed him. She felt as if she were playing a game, yet her curiosity was roused. They went softly down and slipped out of the hotel like children fearing to be caught. "Batouch will be angry.
The skittish boy, his brother, who wore kid gloves, cast at her sly glances of admiration which asked for a return. The black tutor grinned. And the Caid of the Nomads punctuated their progress with loud grunts of heavy satisfaction, occasionally making use of Batouch as interpreter to express his hopes that they would visit his palace in the town, and devour a cous-cous on his carpet.
She began to feel as if she had eaten hashish. The world seemed made for dreaming. "Thank you, then." And now for the first time she looked round to see whether Batouch had implied the truth. Must the European gardens give way to this Eastern garden, take a lower place with all their roses?
The hautboy players prolonged a wailing note, and the tomtoms gave forth a fierce and dull murmur almost like a death, roll. "She wants him to give her money," Batouch whispered to Domini. "Why does not he give her money?" Evidently the stranger did not understand what was expected of him.
"I am ready," she said. And without looking round the room she went downstairs and got into the carriage. They drove to the station without speaking. She had not seen Father Roubier. Androvsky took the tickets. When they came out upon the platform they found there a small crowd of Arab friends, with Batouch in command.
She was vaguely aware that he was abusing Batouch, saying that he was a liar, inclined to theft, a keef smoker, and in a general way steeped to the lips in crime. But the moon was rising, the distant music was becoming more distinct. She could not listen to Hadj. As they turned into the street of the sand-diviner the first ray of the moon fell on the white road.
She had brought her own saddle with her and ordered Batouch to put it on the animal. Meanwhile she went upstairs to change into her habit. When she came out again on to the verandah Boris Androvsky was there, standing bare-headed in the sun and looking down at Batouch and the horse. He turned quickly, greeted Domini with a deep bow, then examined her costume with wondering, startled eyes.
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