the garden of allah-第37章

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dread　telling　him　of　the　presence　of　the　priest；　and；
characteristically；　did　without　hesitation　what　she　feared　to　do。

〃This　is　the　way；〃　she　said。

Then；　as　they　turned　into　the　shadow　of　the　trees　and　began　to　walk
between　the　rills　of　water；　she　added　abruptly：

〃Father　Roubier　is　here　already；　so　our　party　is　complete。〃

Androvsky　stood　still。

〃Father　Roubier！　You　did　not　tell　me　he　was　coming。〃

〃I　did　not　know　it　till　five　minutes　ago。〃

She　stood　still　too；　and　looked　at　him。　There　was　a　flaming　of
distrust　in　his　eyes；　his　lips　were　compressed；　and　his　whole　body
betokened　hostility。

〃I　did　not　understand。　I　thought　Senor　Anteoni　would　be　alone　here。〃

〃Father　Roubier　is　a　pleasant　companion；　sincere　and　simple。　Everyone
likes　him。〃

〃No　doubt；　Madame。　Butthe　fact　is　I〃he　hesitated；　then　added；
almost　with　violence〃I　do　not　care　for　priests。〃

〃I　am　sorry。　Still；　for　oncefor　an　houryou　can　surely〃

She　did　not　finish　the　sentence。　While　she　was　speaking　she　felt　the
banality　of　such　phrases　spoken　to　such　a　man；　and　suddenly　changed
tone　and　manner。

〃Monsieur　Androvsky；〃　she　said；　laying　one　hand　on　his　arm；　〃I　knew
you　would　not　like　Father　Roubier's　being　here。　If　I　had　known　he　was
coming　I　should　have　told　you　in　order　that　you　might　have　kept　away
if　you　wished　to。　But　now　that　you　are　herenow　that　Smain　has　let
you　in　and　the　Count　and　Father　Roubier　must　know　of　it；　I　am　sure　you
will　stay　and　govern　your　dislike。　You　intend　to　turn　back。　I　see
that。　Well；　I　ask　you　to　stay。〃

She　was　not　thinking　of　herself；　but　of　him。　Instinct　told　her　to
teach　him　the　way　to　conceal　his　aversion。　Retreat　would　proclaim　it。

〃For　yourself　I　ask　you；〃　she　added。　〃If　you　go；　you　tell　them　what
you　have　told　me。　You　don't　wish　to　do　that。〃

They　looked　at　each　other。　Then；　without　a　word；　he　walked　on　again。
As　she　kept　beside　him　she　felt　as　if　in　that　moment　their
acquaintanceship　had　sprung　forward；　like　a　thing　that　had　been
forcibly　restrained　and　that　was　now　sharply　released。　They　did　not
speak　again　till　they　saw；　at　the　end　of　an　alley；　the　Count　and　the
priest　standing　together　beneath　the　jamelon　tree。　Bous…Bous　ran
forward　barking；　and　Domini　was　conscious　that　Androvsky　braced
himself　up；　like　a　fighter　stepping　into　the　arena。　Her　keen
sensitiveness　of　mind　and　body　was　so　infected　by　his　secret
impetuosity　of　feeling　that　it　seemed　to　her　as　if　his　encounter　with
the　two　men　framed　in　the　sunlight　were　a　great　event　which　might　be
fraught　with　strange　consequences。　She　almost　held　her　breath　as　she
and　Androvsky　came　down　the　path　and　the　fierce　sunrays　reached　out　to
light　up　their　faces。

Count　Anteoni　stepped　forward　to　greet　them。

〃Monsieur　AndrovskyCount　Anteoni；〃　she　said。

The　hands　of　the　two　men　met。　She　saw　that　Androvsky's　was　lifted
reluctantly。

〃Welcome　to　my　garden；〃　Count　Anteoni　said　with　his　invariable　easy
courtesy。　〃Every　traveller　has　to　pay　his　tribute　to　my　domain。　I　dare
to　exact　that　as　the　oldest　European　inhabitant　of　Beni…Mora。〃

Androvsky　said　nothing。　His　eyes　were　on　the　priest。　The　Count　noticed
it；　and　added：

〃Do　you　know　Father　Roubier？〃

〃We　have　often　seen　each　other　in　the　hotel；〃　Father　Roubier　said　with
his　usual　straightforward　simplicity。

He　held　out　his　hand；　but　Androvsky　bowed　hastily　and　awkwardly　and
did　not　seem　to　see　it。　Domini　glanced　at　Count　Anteoni；　and　surprised
a　piercing　expression　in　his　bright　eyes。　It　died　away　at　once；　and　he
said：

〃Let　us　go　to　the　/salle…a…manger/。　/Dejeuner/　will　be　ready；　Miss
Enfilden。〃

She　joined　him；　concealing　her　reluctance　to　leave　Androvsky　with　the
priest；　and　walked　beside　him　down　the　path；　preceded　by　Bous…Bous。

〃Is　my　/fete/　going　to　be　a　failure？〃　he　murmured。

She　did　not　reply。　Her　heart　was　full　of　vexation；　almost　of
bitterness。　She　felt　angry　with　Count　Anteoni；　with　Androvsky；　with
herself。　She　almost　felt　angry　with　poor　Father　Roubier。

〃Forgive　me！　do　forgive　me！〃　the　Count　whispered。　〃I　meant　no　harm。〃

She　forced　herself　to　smile；　but　the　silence　behind　them；　where　the
two　men　were　following；　oppressed　her。　If　only　Androvsky　would　speak！
He　had　not　said　one　word　since　they　were　all　together。　Suddenly　she
turned　her　head　and　said：

〃Did　you　ever　see　such　palms；　Monsieur　Androvsky？　Aren't　they
magnificent？〃

Her　voice　was　challenging；　imperative。　It　commanded　him　to　rouse
himself；　to　speak；　as　a　touch　of　the　lash　commands　a　horse　to　quicken
his　pace。　Androvsky　raised　his　head；　which　had　been　sunk　on　his　breast
as　he　walked。

〃Palms！〃　he　said　confusedly。

〃Yes；　they　are　wonderful。〃

〃You　care　for　trees？〃　asked　the　Count；　following　Domini's　lead　and
speaking　with　a　definite　intention　to　force　a　conversation。

〃Yes；　Monsieur；　certainly。〃

〃I　have　some　wonderful　fellows　here。　After　/dejeuner/　you　must　let　me
show　them　to　you。　I　spent　years　in　collecting　my　children　and　teaching
them　to　live　rightly　in　the　desert。〃

Very　naturally；　while　he　spoke；　he　had　joined　Androvsky；　and　now
walked　on　with　him；　pointing　out　the　different　varieties　of　trees。
Domini　was　conscious　of　a　sense　of　relief　and　of　a　strong　feeling　of
gratitude　to　their　host。　Following　upon　the　gratitude　came　a　less
pleasant　consciousness　of　Androvsky's　lack　of　good　breeding。　He　was
certainly　not　a　man　of　the　world；　whatever　he　might　be。　To…day；
perhaps　absurdly；　she　felt　responsible　for　him；　and　as　if　he　owed　it
to　her　to　bear　himself　bravely　and　govern　his　dislikes　if　they　clashed
with　the　feelings　of　his　companions。　She　longed　hotly　for　him　to　make
a　good　impression；　and；　when　her　eyes　met　Father　Roubier's；　was　almost
moved　to　ask　his　pardon　for　Androvsky's　rudeness。　But　the　Father
seemed　unconscious　of　it；　and　began　to　speak　about　the　splendour　of
the　African　vegetation。

〃Does　not　its　luxuriance　surprise　you　after　England？〃　he　said。

〃No；〃　she　replied　bluntly。　〃Ever　since　I　have　been　in　Africa　I　have
felt　that　I　was　in　a　land　of　passionate　growth。〃

〃Butthe　desert？〃　he　replied　with　a　gesture　towards　the　long　flats　of
the　Sahara；　which　were　still　visible　between　the　trees。

〃I　should　find　it　there　too；〃　she　answered。　〃There；　perhaps；　most　of
all。〃

He　looked　at　her　with　a　gentle　wonder。　She　did　not　explain　that　she
was　no　longer　thinking　of　growth　in　Nature。

The　/salle…a…manger/　stood　at　the　end　of　a　broad　avenue　of　palms　not
far　from　the　villa。　Two　Arab　servants　were　waiting　on　each　side　of　the
white　step　that　led　into　an　ante…room　filled　with　divans　and　coffee…
tables。　Beyond　was　a　lofty　apartment　with　an　arched　roof；　in　the
centre　of　which　was　an　oval　table　laid　for　breakfast；　and　decorated
with　masses　of　trumpet…shaped　scarlet　flowers　in　silver　vases。　Behind
each　of　the　four　high…backed　chairs　stood　an　Arab　motionless　as　a
statue。　Evidently　the　Count's　/fete/　was　to　be　attended　by　a　good　deal
of　ceremony。　Domini　felt　sorry；　though　not　for　herself。　She　had　been
accustomed　to　ceremony　all　her　life；　and　noticed　it；　as　a　rule；　almost
as　little　as　the　air　she　breathed。　But　she　feared　that　to　Androvsky　it
would　be　novel　and　unpleasant。　As　they　came　into　the　shady　room　she
saw　him　glance　swiftly　at　the　walls　covered　with　dark　Persian
hangings；　at　the　servants　in　their　embroidered　jackets；　wide　trousers；
and　snow…white　turbans；　at　the　vivid　flowers　on　the　table；　then　at　the
tall　windows；　over　which　flexible　outside　blinds；　dull　green　in
colour；　were　drawn；　and　it　seemed　to　her　that　he　was　feeling　like　a
trapped　animal；　full　of　a　fury　of　uneasiness。　Father　Roubier's
unconscious　serenity　in　the　midst　of　a　luxury　to　which　he　was　quite
unaccustomed　emphasised　Androvsky's　secret　agitation；　which　was　no
secret　to　Domini；　and　which　she　knew　must　be　obvious　to　Count　Anteoni。
She　began　to　wish　ardently　that　she　had　let　Androvsky　follow　his
impulse　to　go　when　he　heard　of　Father　Roubier's　presence。

They　sat　down。　She　was　on　the　Count's　right　hand；　with　Androvsky
opposite　to　her　and　Father　Roubier　on　her　left。　As　they　took　their
places　she　and　the　Father　said　a　silent　grace　and　made　the　sign　of　the
Cross；　and　when　she　glanced　up　after　doing　so　she　saw　Androvsky's　hand
lifted　to　his　forehead。　For　a　moment　she　fancied　that　he　had　joined　in
the　tiny　prayer；　and　was　about　to　make　the　sacred　sign；　but　as　she
looked　at　him　his　hand　fell　heavily　to　the　table。　The　glasses　by　his
plate　jingled。

〃I　only　remembered　this　morning　that　this　is　a　/jour　maigre/；〃　said
Count　Anteoni　as　they　unfolded　their　napkins。　〃I　am　afraid；　Father
Roubier；　you　will　not　be　able　to　do　full　justice　to　my　chef；　Hamdane；
although　he　has　thought　of　you　and　done　his　best　for　you。　But　I　hope
Miss　Enfilden　and〃

〃I　keep　Friday；〃　Domini　interrupted　quietly。

〃Yes？　Poor　Hamdane！〃

He　looked　in　grave　despair；　but　she　knew　that　he　was　really　pleased
that　she　kept　the　fast　day。

〃Anyhow；〃　he　continued；　〃I　hope　that　you；　Monsieur　Androvsky；　will　be
able　to　join　me　in　testing　Hamdane's　powers　to　the　full。　Or　are　you
too〃

He　did　not　continue；　for　Androvsky　at　once　said；　in　a　loud　and　firm
voice：

〃I　keep　no　fast　days。〃

The　words　sounded　like　a　defiance　flung　at　the　two　Catholics；　and　for
a　moment　Domini　thought　that　Father　Roubier　was　going　to　treat　them　as
a　challenge；　for　he　lifted　his　head　and　there　was　a　flash　of　sudden
fire　in　his　eyes。　But　he　only　said；　turning　to　the　Count：

〃I　think　Mademoiselle　and　I　shall　find　our　little　Ramadan　a　very　easy
business。　I　once　breakfasted　with　you　on　a　Fridaytwo　years　ago　it
was；　I　thinkand　I　have　not　forgotten　the　banquet　you　gave　me。〃

Domini　felt　as　if　the　priest　had　snubbed　Androvsky；　as　a　saint　might
snub；　without　knowing　that　he　did　so。　She　was　angry　with　Androvsky；
and　yet　she　was　full　of　pity　for　him。　Why　could　he　not　meet　courtesy
with　graciousness？　There　was　something　almost　inhuman　in　his
demeanour。　To…day　he　had　returned　to　his　worst　self；　to　the　man　who
had　twice　treated　her　with　brutal　rudeness。

〃Do　the　Arabs　really　keep　Ramadan　strictly？〃　she　asked；　looking　away
from　Androvsky。

〃Very；〃　said　Father　Roubier。　〃Although；　of　course；　I　am　not　in
sympathy　with　their　religion；　I　have　often　been　moved　by　their
adherence　to　its　rules。　There　is　something　very　grand　in　the　human
heart　deliberately　taking　upon　itself　the　yoke　of　discipline。〃

〃Islamthe　very　word　means　the　surrender　of　the　human　will　to　the
will　of　God；〃　said　Count　Anteoni。　〃That　word　and　its　meaning　lie　like
the　shadow　of　a　commanding　hand　on　the　soul　of　every　Arab；　even　of　the
absinthe…drinking　renegades　one　sees　here　and　there　who　have　caught
the　vices　of　their　conquerors。　In　the　greatest　scoundrel　that　the
Prophet's　robe　covers　there　is　an　abiding　and　acute　sense　of　necessary
surrender。　The　Arabs；　at　any　rate；　do　not　buzz　against　their　Creator；
like　midges　raging　at　the　sun　in　whose　beams　they　are　dancing。〃

〃No；〃　assented　the　priest。　〃At　least　in　that　respect　they　are　superior
to　many　who　call　themselves　Christians。　Their　pride　is　immense；　but　it
never　makes　itself　ridiculous。〃

〃You　mean　by　trying　to　defy　the　Divine　Will？〃　said　Domini。

〃Exactly；　Mademoiselle。〃

She　thought　of　her　dead　father。

The　servants　stole　round　the　table；　handing　various　dishes