AISHA. What?
ZORAYA. The Cavalier of the Sword--now I am beginning to detect the
cause!
AISHA. You see!--I thought until this minute that we should not be
left long in security! You had decided to do as the others advised
and flee to the coast of Africa to escape the persecutions of the
Nazarenes! Then, it was necessary to meet this man! Ah! misery upon
us! Ever since the time when he unexpectedly appeared while we were
breathing the evening breeze on the hill and when you so foolishly
threw yourself into his arms, I have believed that I hear the black
wings of Azrael, the angel of death, brushing the roof of our house!
ZORAYA. "Our Destiny," says the Prophet, "is suspended from our
necks"--If it is written that I shall die for Enrique, then I may
likewise wish that it should be in his arms!
AISHA. Oh! my daughter, you who were so chaste in your widowhood, why
are you enamored with this infidel, this enemy of the true God?
ZORAYA. Do you know how and why I love him? I was at his mercy! A
word, and he could have thrown me into the dungeons of the
Inquisition. It was good of him to save my honor, a price which they
always extort from our other women. I will risk anything for him.
Those men were there to act as my safeguards during the night. I
shall wait for an opportune time and flee to Toledo before evening!
AISHA. Rain of Heaven!
ZORAYA. But what weakness is ours! He is young, he is generous in his
love, his gaze is tender!--when he liberated me, I could dream no
more of fleeing.
AISHA. Alas!
ZORAYA. (Returning to the cards) Ah! "The King!"--A powerful enemy!
AISHA. You see! You see!
ZORAYA. Sh----.
AISHA. What?
ZORAYA. I believe I hear him.
AISHA. No!
ZORAYA. Besides, he would not come before night!
AISHA. Ah! I hope he will not come this evening--and never again!
ZORAYA. Silence! You wretch! Do you want me to die of sorrow?
AISHA. That would be better than being buried alive in an oubliette
as poor Kalem's accomplice and for a crime similar to his!
ZORAYA. I should die first!
AISHA. Allah! Allah! listen to her--Where is there a love that has
made any one reasonable! All these nights I have been there, I,
cowering on my couch waiting and listening and trembling at the least
noise. And you can be happy--you--with such a menace hanging over
you!--What folly!
ZORAYA. (Rising and putting away the cards) You do not understand
anything, poor Aisha! To love without peril is beautiful--it is the
common kind of love. But the kind that is outlawed, accursed and
condemned at its beginning--the love that braves all perils, that
defies death, that brings the bitter-sweet of forbidden kisses and
maddening embraces during which it is said, "This may be the
last!"--that is love!--that is love!
AISHA. (Groaning) Ah!
ZORAYA. Be silent! This time it is his step. (She runs to the door
at the left and opens it) It is he!--Ah! it is he!--It is he!
[Enrique appears on the threshold of the little door.]
ZORAYA. Finally--Ah! God!--At last! at last! (To Aisha as she passes
Enrique to fasten the little door) Watch carefully. (After fastening
the draperies, Aisha goes into the garden.)