the garden of allah-第28章

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young。　It　made　something　in　her　leap　and　quiver。　She　was　startled　and
almost　angered　by　that；　but　not　by　the　eyes　that　caused　it。

〃/Au　revoir/；〃　she　said；　turning　to　go　down。

〃May　Imight　I　see　you　get　up？〃　said　Androvsky。

〃Get　up！〃　she　said。

〃Up　on　the　horse？〃

She　could　not　help　smiling　at　his　fashion　of　expressing　the　act　of
mounting。　He　was　not　a　sportsman　evidently；　despite　his　muscular
strength。

〃Certainly；　if　you　like。　Come　along。〃

Without　thinking　of　it　she　spoke　rather　as　to　a　schoolboy；　not　with
superiority；　but　with　the　sort　of　bluffness　age　sometimes　uses　good…
naturedly　to　youth。　He　did　not　seem　to　resent　it　and　followed　her　down
to　the　arcade。

The　side　saddle　was　on　and　the　poet　held　the　grey　by　the　bridle。　Some
Arab　boys　had　assembled　under　the　arcade　to　see　what　was　going
forward。　The　Arab　waiter　lounged　at　the　door　with　the　tassel　of　his
fez　swinging　against　his　pale　cheek。　The　horse　fidgetted　and　tugged
against　the　rein；　lifting　his　delicate　feet　uneasily　from　the　ground；
flicking　his　narrow　quarters　with　his　long　tail；　and　glancing　sideways
with　his　dark　and　brilliant　eyes；　which　were　alive　with　a　nervous
intelligence　that　was　almost　hectic。　Domini　went　up　to　him　and
caressed　him　with　her　hand。　He　reared　up　and　snorted。　His　whole　body
seemed　a…quiver　with　the　desire　to　gallop　furiously　away　alone　into
some　far　distant　place。

Androvsky　stood　near　the　waiter；　looking　at　Domini　and　at　the　horse
with　wonder　and　alarm　in　his　eyes。

The　animal；　irritated　by　inaction；　began　to　plunge　violently　and　to
get　out　of　hand。

〃Give　me　the　reins；〃　Domini　said　to　the　poet。　〃That's　it。　Now　put　your
hand　for　me。〃

Batouch　obeyed。　Her　foot　just　touched　his　hand　and　she　was　in　the
saddle。

Androvsky　sprang　forward　on　to　the　pavement。　His　eyes　were　blazing
with　anxiety。　She　saw　it　and　laughed　gaily。

〃Oh；　he's　not　vicious；〃　she　said。　〃And　vice　is　the　only　thing　that's
dangerous。　His　mouth　is　perfect；　but　he's　nervous　and　wants　handling。
I'll　just　take　him　up　the　gardens　and　back。〃

She　had　been　reining　him　in。　Now　she　let　him　go；　and　galloped　up　the
straight　track　between　the　palms　towards　the　station。　The　priest　had
come　out　into　his　little　garden　with　Bous…Bous；　and　leaned　over　his
brushwood　fence　to　look　after　her。　Bous…Bous　barked　in　a　light
soprano。　The　Arab　boys　jumped　on　their　bare　toes；　and　one　of　them；　who
was　a　bootblack；　waved　his　board　over　his　shaven　head。　The　Arab　waiter
smiled　as　if　with　satisfaction　at　beholding　perfect　competence。　But
Androvsky　stood　quite　still　looking　down　the　dusty　road　at　the
diminishing　forms　of　horse　and　rider；　and　when　they　disappeared；
leaving　behind　them　a　light　cloud　of　sand　films　whirling　in　the　sun；
he　sighed　heavily　and　dropped　his　chin　on　his　chest　as　if　fatigued。

〃I　can　get　a　horse　for　Monsieur　too。　Would　Monsieur　like　to　have　a
horse？〃

It　was　the　poet's　amply　seductive　voice。　Androvsky　started。

〃I　don't　ride；〃　he　said　curtly。

〃I　will　teach　Monsieur。　I　am　the　best　teacher　in　Beni…Mora。　In　three
lessons　Monsieur　will〃

〃I　don't　ride；　I　tell　you。〃

Androvsky　was　looking　angry。　He　stepped　out　into　the　road。　Bous…Bous；
who　was　now　observing　Nature　at　the　priest's　garden　gate；　emerged　with
some　sprightliness　and　trotted　towards　him；　evidently　with　the
intention　of　making　his　acquaintance。　Coming　up　to　him　the　little　dog
raised　his　head　and　uttered　a　short　bark；　at　the　same　time　wagging　his
tail　in　a　kindly；　though　not　effusive　manner。　Androvsky　looked　down；
bent　quickly　and　patted　him；　as　only　a　man　really　fond　of　animals　and
accustomed　to　them　knows　how　to　pat。　Bous…Bous　was　openly　gratified。
He　began　to　wriggle　affectionately。　The　priest　in　his　garden　smiled。
Androvsky　had　not　seen　him　and　went　on　playing　with　the　dog；　who　now
made　preparations　to　lie　down　on　his　curly　back　in　the　road　in　the
hope　of　being　tickled；　a　process　he　was　an　amateur　of。　Still　smiling；
and　with　a　friendly　look　on　his　face；　the　priest　came　out　of　his
garden　and　approached　the　playmates。

〃Good　morning；　M'sieur；〃　he　said　politely；　raising　his　hat。　〃I　see　you
like　dogs。〃

Androvsky　lifted　himself　up；　leaving　Bous…Bous　in　a　prayerful
attitude；　his　paws　raised　devoutly　towards　the　heavens。　When　he　saw
that　it　was　the　priest　who　had　addressed　him　his　face　changed；
hardened　to　grimness；　and　his　lips　trembled　slightly。

〃That's　my　little　dog；〃　the　priest　continued　in　a　gentle　voice。　〃He
has　evidently　taken　a　great　fancy　to　you。〃

Batouch　was　watching　Androvsky　under　the　arcade；　and　noted　the　sudden
change　in　his　expression　and　his　whole　bearing。

〃II　did　not　know　he　was　your　dog；　Monsieur；　or　I　should　not　have
interfered　with　him；〃　said　Androvsky。

Bous…Bous　jumped　up　against　his　leg。　He　pushed　the　little　dog　rather
roughly　away　and　stepped　back　to　the　arcade。　The　priest　looked　puzzled
and　slightly　hurt。　At　this　moment　the　soft　thud　of　horse's　hoofs　was
audible　on　the　road　and　Domini　came　cantering　back　to　the　hotel。　Her
eyes　were　sparkling；　her　face　was　radiant。　She　bowed　to　the　priest　and
reined　up　before　the　hotel　door；　where　Androvsky　was　standing。

〃I'll　buy　him；〃　she　said　to　Batouch；　who　swelled　with　satisfaction　at
the　thought　of　his　commission。　〃And　I'll　go　for　a　long　ride　nowout
into　the　desert。〃

〃You　will　not　go　alone；　Madame？〃

It　was　the　priest's　voice。　She　smiled　down　at　him　gaily。

〃Should　I　be　carried　off　by　nomads；　Monsieur？〃

〃It　would　not　be　safe　for　a　lady；　believe　me。〃

Batouch　swept　forward　to　reassure　the　priest。　〃I　am　Madame's　guide。　I
have　a　horse　ready　saddled　to　accompany　Madame。　I　have　sent　for　it
already；　M'sieur。〃

One　of　the　little　Arab　boys　was　indeed　visible　running　with　all　his
might　towards　the　Rue　Berthe。　Domini's　face　suddenly　clouded。　The
presence　of　the　guide　would　take　all　the　edge　off　her　pleasure；　and　in
the　short　gallop　she　had　just　had　she　had　savoured　its　keenness。　She
was　alive　with　desire　to　be　happy。

〃I　don't　need　you；　Batouch；〃　she　said。

But　the　poet　was　inexorable；　backed　up　by　the　priest。

〃It　is　my　duty　to　accompany　Madame。　I　am　responsible　for　her　safety。〃

〃Indeed；　you　cannot　go　into　the　desert　alone；〃　said　the　priest。

Domini　glanced　at　Androvsky；　who　was　standing　silently　under　the
arcade；　a　little　withdrawn；　looking　uncomfortable　and　self…conscious。
She　remembered　her　thought　on　the　tower　of　the　dice…thrower；　and　of
how　the　presence　of　the　stranger　had　seemed　to　double　her　pleasure
then。　Up　the　road　from　the　Rue　Berthe　came　the　noise　of　a　galloping
horse。　The　shoeblack　was　returning　furiously；　his　bare　legs　sticking
out　on　either　side　of　a　fiery　light　chestnut　with　a　streaming　mane　and
tail。

〃Monsieur　Androvsky；〃　she　said。

He　started。

〃Madame？〃

〃Will　you　come　with　me　for　a　ride　into　the　desert？〃

His　face　was　flooded　with　scarlet；　and　he　came　a　step　forward；　looking
up　at　her。

〃I！〃　he　said　with　an　accent　of　infinite　surprise。

〃Yes。　Will　you？〃

The　chestnut　thundered　up　and　was　pulled　sharply　back　on　its　haunches。
Androvsky　shot　a　sideways　glance　at　it　and　hesitated。　Domini　thought
he　was　going　to　refuse　and　wished　she　had　not　asked　him；　wished　it
passionately。

〃Never　mind；〃　she　said；　almost　brutally　in　her　vexation　at　what　she
had　done。

〃Batouch！〃

The　poet　was　about　to　spring　upon　the　horse　when　Androvsky　caught　him
by　the　arm。

〃I　will　go；〃　he　said。

Batouch　looked　vicious。　〃But　Monsieur　told　me　he　did　not〃

He　stopped。　The　hand　on　his　arm　had　given　him　a　wrench　that　made　him
feel　as　if　his　flesh　were　caught　between　steel　pincers。　Androvsky　came
up　to　the　chestnut。

〃Oh；　it's　an　Arab　saddle；〃　said　Domini。

〃It　does　not　matter；　Madame。〃

His　face　was　stern。

〃Are　you　accustomed　to　them？〃

〃It　makes　no　difference。〃

He　took　hold　of　the　rein　and　put　his　foot　in　the　high　stirrup；　but　so
awkwardly　that　he　kicked　the　horse　in　the　side。　It　plunged。

〃Take　care！〃　said　Domini。

Androvsky　hung　on；　and　climbed　somehow　into　the　saddle；　coming　down　in
it　heavily；　with　a　thud。　The　horse；　now　thoroughly　startled；　plunged
furiously　and　lashed　out　with　its　hind　legs。　Androvsky　was　thrown
forward　against　the　high　red　peak　of　the　saddle　with　his　hands　on　the
animal's　neck。　There　was　a　struggle。　He　tugged　at　the　rein　violently。
The　horse　jumped　back；　reared；　plunged　sideways　as　if　about　to　bolt。
Androvsky　was　shot　off　and　fell　on　his　right　shoulder　heavily。　Batouch
caught　the　horse　while　Androvsky　got　up。　He　was　white　with　dust。　There
was　even　dust　on　his　face　and　in　his　short　hair。　He　looked　passionate。

〃You　see；〃　Batouch　began；　speaking　to　Domini；　〃that　Monsieur　cannot〃

〃Give　me　the　rein！〃　said　Androvsky。

There　was　a　sound　in　his　deep　voice　that　was　terrible。　He　was　looking
not　at　Domini；　but　at　the　priest；　who　stood　a　little　aside　with　an
expression　of　concern　on　his　face。　Bous…Bous　barked　with　excitement　at
the　conflict。　Androvsky　took　the　rein；　and；　with　a　sort　of　furious
determination；　sprang　into　the　saddle　and　pressed　his　legs　against　the
horse's　flanks。　It　reared　up。　The　priest　moved　back　under　the　palm
trees；　the　Arab　boys　scattered。　Batouch　sought　the　shelter　of　the
arcade；　and　the　horse；　with　a　short；　whining　neigh　that　was　like　a　cry
of　temper；　bolted　between　the　trunks　of　the　trees；　heading　for　the
desert；　and　disappeared　in　a　flash。

〃He　will　be　killed；〃　said　the　priest。

Bous…Bous　barked　frantically。

〃It　is　his　own　fault；〃　said　the　poet。　〃He　told　me　himself　just　now
that　he　did　not　know　how　to　ride。〃

〃Why　didn't　you　tell　me　so？〃　Domini　exclaimed。

〃Madame〃

But　she　was　gone；　following　Androvsky　at　a　slow　canter　lest　she　should
frighten　his　horse　by　coming　up　behind　it。　She　came　out　from　the　shade
of　the　palms　into　the　sun。　The　desert　lay　before　her。　She　searched　it
eagerly　with　her　eyes　and　saw　Androvsky's　horse　far　off　in　the　river
bed；　still　going　at　a　gallop　towards　the　south；　towards　that　region　in
which　she　had　told　him　on　the　tower　she　thought　that　peace　must　dwell。
It　was　as　if　he　had　believed　her　words　blindly　and　was　frantically　in
chase　of　peace。　And　she　pursued　him　through　the　blazing　sunlight。　She
was　out　in　the　desert　at　length；　beyond　the　last　belt　of　verdure；
beyond　the　last　line　of　palms。　The　desert　wind　was　on　her　cheek　and　in
her　hair。　The　desert　spaces　stretched　around　her。　Under　her　horse's
hoofs　lay　the　sparkling　crystals　on　the　wrinkled；　sun…dried　earth。　The
red　rocks；　seamed　with　many　shades　of　colour　that　all　suggested
primeval　fires　and　the　relentless　action　of　heat；　were　heaped　about
her。　But　her　eyes　were　fixed　on　the　far…off　moving　speck　that　was　the
horse　carrying　Androvsky　madly　towards　the　south。　The　light　and　fire；
the　great　airs；　the　sense　of　the　chase　intoxicated　her。　She　struck　her
horse　with　the　whip。　It　leaped；　as　if　clearing　an　immense　obstacle；
came　down　lightly　and　strained　forward　into　the　shining　mysteries　at　a
furious　gallop。　The　black　speck　grew　larger。　She　was　gaining。　The
crumbling；　cliff…like　bank　on　her　left　showed　a　rent　in　which　a　faint
track　rose　sharply　to　the　flatness　beyond。　She　put　her　horse　at　it　and
came　out　among　the　tiny　humps　on　which　grew　the　halfa　grass　and　the
tamarisk　bushes。　A　pale　sand　flew　up　here　about　the　horse's　feet。
Androvsky