the garden of allah-第22章

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〃Who　is　that？〃

〃The　Monsieur　who　accompanies　the　omnibus　to　the　station。　Monsieur
Helmuth　was　polite　enough　to　escort　me　through　the　village。　Mon　Dieu；
Mam'zelle；　I　said　to　myself；　'Anything　might　occur　here。'〃

〃Anything！　What　do　you　mean？〃

But　Suzanne　did　not　seem　to　know。　She　only　made　her　figure　look　more
tense　than　ever；　tucked　in　her　round　little　chin；　which　was　dimpled
and　unmeaning；　and　said：

〃Who　knows；　Mam'zelle？　This　village　is　dull；　that　is　true；　but　it　is
odd。　One　does　not　find　oneself　in　such　places　every　day。〃

Domini　could　not　help　laughing　at　these　Delphic　utterances；　but　she
went　downstairs　thoughtfully。　She　knew　Suzanne's　practical　spirit。
Till　now　the　maid　had　never　shown　any　capacity　of　imagination。　Beni…
Mora　was　certainly　beginning　to　mould　her　nature　into　a　slightly
different　shape。　And　Domini　seemed　to　see　an　Eastern　potter　at　work；
squatting　in　the　sun　and　with　long　and　delicate　fingers　changing　the
outline　of　the　statuette　of　a　woman；　modifying　a　curve　here；　an　angle
there；　till　the　clay　began　to　show　another　woman；　but　with；　as　it
were；　the　shadow　of　the　former　one　lurking　behind　the　new　personality。

The　stranger　was　not　at　dinner。　His　table　was　laid　and　Domini　sat
expecting　each　moment　to　hear　the　shuffling　tread　of　his　heavy　boots
on　the　wooden　floor。　When　he　did　not　come　she　thought　she　was　glad。
After　dinner　she　spoke　for　a　moment　to　the　priest　and　then　went
upstairs　to　the　verandah　to　take　coffee。　She　found　Batouch　there。　He
had　renounced　his　determined　air；　and　his　/cafe…au…lait/　countenance
and　huge　body　expressed　enduring　pathos；　as　of　an　injured；　patient
creature　laid　out　for　the　trampling　of　Domini's　cruel　feet。

〃Well？〃　she　said；　sitting　down　by　the　basket　table。

〃Well；　Madame？〃

He　sighed　and　looked　on　the　ground；　lifted　one　white…socked　foot；
removed　its　yellow　slipper；　shook　out　a　tiny　stone　from　the　slipper
and　put　it　on　again；　slowly；　gracefully　and　very　sadly。　Then　he　pulled
the　white　sock　up　with　both　hands　and　glanced　at　Domini　out　of　the
corners　of　his　eyes。

〃What's　the　matter？〃

〃Madame　does　not　care　to　see　the　dances　of　Beni…Mora；　to　hear　the
music；　to　listen　to　the　story…teller；　to　enter　the　cafe　of　El　Hadj
where　Achmed　sings　to　the　keef　smokers；　or　to　witness　the　beautiful
religious　ecstasies　of　the　dervishes　from　Oumach。　Therefore　I　come　to
bid　Madame　respectfully　goodnight　and　to　take　my　departure。〃

He　threw　his　burnous　over　his　left　shoulder　with　a　sudden　gesture　of
despair　that　was　full　of　exaggeration。　Domini　smiled。

〃You've　been　very　good　to…day；〃　she　said。

〃I　am　always　good；　Madame。　I　am　of　a　serious　disposition。　Not　one
keeps　Ramadan　as　I　do。〃

〃I　am　sure　of　it。　Go　downstairs　and　wait　for　me　under　the　arcade。〃

Batouch's　large　face　became　suddenly　a　rendezvous　of　all　the　gaieties。

〃Madame　is　coming　out　to…night？〃

〃Presently。　Be　in　the　arcade。〃

He　swept　away　with　the　ample　magnificence　of　joyous　bearing　and
movement　that　was　like　a　loud　Te　Deum。

〃Suzanne！　Suzanne！〃

Domini　had　finished　her　coffee。

〃Mam'zelle！〃　answered　Suzanne；　appearing。

〃Would　you　like　to　come　out　with　me　to…night？〃

〃Mam'zelle　is　going　out？〃

〃Yes；　to　see　the　village　by　night。〃

Suzanne　looked　irresolute。　Craven　fear　and　curiosity　fought　a　battle
within　her；　as　was　evident　by　the　expressions　that　came　and　went　in
her　face　before　she　answered。

〃Shall　we　not　be　murdered；　Mam'zelle；　and　are　there　interesting　things
to　see？〃

〃There　are　interesting　things　to　seedancers；　singers；　keef　smokers。
But　if　you　are　afraid　don't　come。〃

〃Dancers；　Mam'zelle！　But　the　Arabs　carry　knives。　And　is　there　singing？
II　should　not　like　Mam'zelle　to　go　without　me。　But〃

〃Come　and　protect　me　from　the　knives　then。　Bring　my　jacketany　one。　I
don't　suppose　I　shall　put　it　on。〃

As　she　spoke　the　distant　tomtoms　began。　Suzanne　started　nervously　and
looked　at　Domini　with　sincere　apprehension。

〃We　had　better　not　go；　Mam'zelle。　It　is　not　safe　out　here。　Men　who
make　a　noise　like　that　would　not　respect　us。〃

〃I　like　it。〃

〃That　sound？　But　it　is　always　the　same　and　there　is　no　music　in　it。〃

〃Perhaps　there　is　more　in　it　than　music。　The　jacket？〃

Suzanne　went　gingerly　to　fetch　it。　The　faint　cry　of　the　African
hautboy　rose　up　above　the　tomtoms。　The　evening　/fete/　was　beginning。
To…night　Domini　felt　that　she　must　go　to　the　distant　music　and　learn
to　understand　its　meaning；　not　only　for　herself；　but　for　those　who
made　it　and　danced　to　it　night　after　night。　It　stirred　her
imagination；　and　made　her　in　love　with　mystery；　and　anxious　at　least
to　steal　to　the　very　threshold　of　the　barbarous　world。　Did　it　stir
those　who　had　had　it　in　their　ears　ever　since　they　were　naked；
sunburned　babies　rolling　in　the　hot　sun　of　the　Sahara？　Could　it　seem
as　ordinary　to　them　as　the　cold　uproar　of　the　piano…organ　to　the
urchins　of　Whitechapel；　or　the　whine　of　the　fiddle　to　the　peasants　of
Touraine　where　Suzanne　was　born？　She　wanted　to　know。　Suzanne　returned
with　the　jacket。　She　still　looked　apprehensive；　but　she　had　put　on　her
hat　and　fastened　a　sprig　of　red　geranium　in　the　front　of　her　black
gown。　The　curiosity　was　in　the　ascendant。

〃We　are　not　going　quite　alone；　Mam'zelle？〃

〃No；　no。　Batouch　will　protect　us。〃

Suzanne　breathed　a　furtive　sigh。

The　poet　was　in　the　white　arcade　with　Hadj；　who　looked　both　wicked　and
deplorable；　and　had　a　shabby　air；　in　marked　contrast　to　Batouch's
ostentatious　triumph。　Domini　felt　quite　sorry　for　him。

〃You　come　with　us　too；〃　she　said。

Hadj　squared　his　shoulders　and　instantly　looked　vivacious　and　almost
smart。　But　an　undecided　expression　came　into　his　face。

〃Where　is　Madame　going？〃

〃To　see　the　village。〃

Batouch　shot　a　glance　at　Hadj　and　smiled　unpleasantly。

〃I　will　come　with　Madame。〃

Batouch　still　smiled。

〃We　are　going　to　the　Ouled　Nails；〃　he　said　significantly　to　Hadj。

〃II　will　come。〃

They　set　out。　Suzanne　looked　gently　at　the　poet's　legs　and　seemed
comforted。

〃Take　great　care　of　Mademoiselle　Suzanne；〃　Domini　said　to　the　poet。
〃She　is　a　little　nervous　in　the　dark。〃

〃Mademoiselle　Suzanne　is　like　the　first　day　after　the　fast　of
Ramadan；〃　replied　the　poet；　majestically。　〃No　one　would　harm　her　were
she　to　wander　alone　to　Tombouctou。〃

The　prospect　drew　from　Suzanne　a　startled　gulp。　Batouch　placed　himself
tenderly　at　her　side　and　they　set　out；　Domini　walking　behind　with
Hadj。



CHAPTER　VIII

The　village　was　full　of　the　wan　presage　of　the　coming　of　the　moon。　The
night　was　very　still　and　very　warm。　As　they　skirted　the　long　gardens
Domini　saw　a　light　in　the　priest's　house。　It　made　her　wonder　how　he
passed　his　solitary　evenings　when　he　went　home　from　the　hotel；　and　she
fancied　him　sitting　in　some　plainly…furnished　little　room　with　Bous…
Bous　and　a　few　books；　smoking　a　pipe　and　thinking　sadly　of　the　White
Fathers　of　Africa　and　of　his　frustrated　desire　for　complete
renunciation。　With　this　last　thought　blended　the　still　remote　sound　of
the　hautboy。　It　suggested　anything　rather　than　renunciation；
mysterious　melancholysuccessor　to　passionthe　cry　of　longing；　the
wail　of　the　unknown　that　draws　some　men　and　women　to　splendid　follies
and　to　ardent　pilgrimages　whose　goal　is　the　mirage。

Hadj　was　talking　in　a　low　voice；　but　Domini　did　not　listen　to　him。　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。　Far　away　at　the　end　of　the　street
Domini　could　see　the　black　foliage　of　the　trees　in　the　Gazelles'
garden；　and　beyond；　to　the　left；　a　dimness　of　shadowy　palms　at　the
desert　edge。　The　desert　itself　was　not　visible。　Two　Arabs　passed；
shrouded　in　burnouses；　with　the　hoods　drawn　up　over　their　heads。　Only
their　black　beards　could　be　seen。　They　were　talking　violently　and
waving　their　arms。　Suzanne　shuddered　and　drew　close　to　the　poet。　Her
plump　face　worked　and　she　glanced　appealingly　at　her　mistress。　But
Domini　was　not　thinking　of　her；　or　of　violence　or　danger。　The　sound　of
the　tomtoms　and　hautboys　seemed　suddenly　much　louder　now　that　the　moon
began　to　shine；　making　a　whiteness　among　the　white　houses　of　the
village；　the　white　robes　of　the　inhabitants；　a　greater　whiteness　on
the　white　road　that　lay　before　them。　And　she　was　thinking　that　the
moon　whiteness　of　Beni…Mora　was　more　passionate　than　pure；　more　like
the　blanched　face　of　a　lover　than　the　cool；　pale　cheek　of　a　virgin。
There　was　excitement　in　it；　suggestion　greater　even　than　the
suggestion　of　the　tremendous　coloured　scenes　of　the　evening　that
preceded　such　a　night。　And　she　mused　of　white　heat　and　of　what　it
meansthe　white　heat　of　the　brain　blazing　with　thoughts　that　govern；
the　white　heat　of　the　heart　blazing　with　emotions　that　make　such
thoughts　seem　cold。　She　had　never　known　either。　Was　she　incapable　of
knowing　them？　Could　she　imagine　them　till　there　was　physical　heat　in
her　body　if　she　was　incapable　of　knowing　them？　Suzanne　and　the　two
Arabs　were　distant　shadows　to　her　when　that　first　moon…ray　touched
their　feet。　The　passion　of　the　night　began　to　burn　her；　and　she
thought　she　would　like　to　take　her　soul　and　hold　it　out　to　the　white
flame。

As　they　passed　the　sand…diviner's　house　Domini　saw　his　spectral　figure
standing　under　the　yellow　light　of　the　hanging　lantern　in　the　middle
of　his　carpet　shop；　which　was　lined　from　floor　to　ceiling　with　dull
red　embroideries　and　dim　with　the　fumes　of　an　incense　brazier。　He　was
talking　to　a　little　boy；　but　keeping　a　wary　eye　on　the　street；　and　he
came　out　quickly；　beckoning　with　his　long　hands；　and　calling　softly；
in　a　half…chuckling　and　yet　authoritative　voice：

〃Venez；　Madame；　venez！　Come！　come！〃

Suzanne　seized　Domini's　arm。

〃Not　to…night！〃　Domini　called　out。

〃Yes；　Madame；　to…night。　The　vie　of　Madame　is　there　in　the　sand　to…
night。　Je　la　vois；　je　la　vois。　C'est　la　dans　le　sable　to…night。〃

The　moonlight　showed　the　wound　on　his　face。　Suzanne　uttered　a　cry　and
hid　her　eyes　with　her　hands。　They　went　on　towards　the　trees。　Hadj
walked　with　hesitation。

〃How　loud　the　music　is　getting；〃　Domini　said　to　him。

〃It　will　deafen　Madame's　ears　if　she　gets　nearer；〃　said　Hadj；　eagerly。
〃And　the　dancers　are　not　for　Madame。　For　the　Arabs；　yes；　but　for　a
great　lady　of　the　most　respectable　England！　Madame　will　be　red　with
disgust；　with　anger。　Madame　will　have　/mal…au…coeur/。〃

Batouch　began　to　look　like　an　idol　on　whose　large　face　the　artificer
had　carved　an　expression　of　savage　ferocity。

〃Madame　is　my　client；〃　he　said　fiercely。　〃Madame　trusts　in　me。〃

Hadj　laughed　with　a　snarl：

〃He　who　smokes　the　keef　is　like　a　Mehari　with　a　swollen　tongue；〃　he
rejoined。

The　poet　looked　as　if　he　were　going　to　spring　upon　his　cousin；　but　he
restrained　himself　and　a　slow；　malignant　smile　curled　about　his　thick
lips　like　a　snake。

〃I　shall　show　to　Madame　a　dancer　who　is　modest；　who　is　beautiful；
Hadj…ben…Ibrahim；〃　he　said　softly。

〃Fatma　is　sick；〃　said　Hadj；　quickly。

〃It　will　not　be　Fatma。〃

Hadj　began　sudde