[Zoraya, Aisha]
ZORAYA. (At the window, constantly looking out) Why are those bells
ringing on this beautiful morning?--Is there some Christian festival
today?
AISHA. I know of none.
ZORAYA. (Reëntering the scene) After waiting for him all night I
finally fell asleep. They awakened me and I heard your voice. I
believed he was there, and I nearly betrayed myself by calling his
name in the boy's presence.
AISHA. We must continue hoping that Don Enrique will come tonight.
ZORAYA. Two nights without seeing him!--And no word from him--what
torture! And those bad dreams! Give me the spotted cards.
[Aisha brings a pack of cards which she lays out on the little
table. The sound of the bells gradually dies out.]
AISHA. He has probably been warned of the presence of those men.
ZORAYA. Last night, yes--But the night before--did Zaguir see them
then?
AISHA. No.
ZORAYA. (Constantly occupied in arranging the cards) Then it was
something else.
AISHA. Perhaps some sudden duty?
ZORAYA. Doubtful! He is free! He has no father, no mother, no wife,
no children!
AISHA. He commands the archers, the blunderbuss men and the
cross-bowmen of the city. He may be detained by the service.
ZORAYA. For two days?
AISHA. He is a member of the Council of Castile, which may have been
summoned to Aranjuez where the king is sojourning.
ZORAYA. Yes, possibly that is so!--Ah! if only we had some means of
secretly writing to each other!
AISHA. Allah protect us! That would be a quicker way of losing
ourselves!--we are threatened often enough, now!