[Zoraya, Aisha, Fatoum]
[Aisha raises the portière at the left to admit Fatoum, an old
Moorish woman, who has been converted.]
ZORAYA. Come forward!
FATOUM. (She goes to Zoraya, who is seated, kneels and kisses the hem
of her skirt) May Allah be merciful to you and rain his gifts upon
you!
ZORAYA. (Severely) Dare you pronounce His sacred name, you who have
renounced the God of your fathers! Take care that He does not hear
you!
FATOUM. He reads my heart and sees that I am converted only because I
do not want to be separated from the child, whom I have brought here.
ZORAYA. Your daughter?
FATOUM. By birth, no, Zoraya; by affection, ah! certainly, yes! She
was ten years old when her mother died, and I have reared her.
ZORAYA. A Spaniard?
FATOUM. Yes! You alone can heal her.
ZORAYA. That is a case for the Christian physicians.
FATOUM. They know little or nothing. I have come to you because your
father--on him rested Allah's benediction--was their master in
everything and taught you the secrets of his art.
ZORAYA. Well, who is she?
FATOUM. She consented to come only when I promised not to reveal her
name.
ZORAYA. Then she may go!
FATOUM. Zoraya, have pity! This child's father is a hardened
Catholic!--If he knew that I had taken his daughter to a Moor's home,
I would be cruelly punished! Out of fondness for me, she keeps it a
secret!
ZORAYA. She need not know that you have betrayed it.