[The same persons and Doña Joana]
[Joana enters, timid, frightened and supported in Fatoum's arms.]
ZORAYA. (Kindly) Do you not fear, señorita, to come into a pagan's
home?
JOANA. Fatoum has told me that you are charitable. That is the law of
the Gospel!
ZORAYA. And also that of the Koran--In that our religions are the
same!--Seat yourself, my daughter (she sits upon the cushions at her
side)--and tell me your trouble.
JOANA. (Timidly) Permit Fatoum to tell it instead of me.
FATOUM. (Seated on a stool which Aisha has placed in the left of the
scene) It is very strange--She rises in her sleep at night. Without
seeing any one, she goes, comes, attends to her ordinary duties and
returns to her bed--and during all that time she is in a dream.
ZORAYA. (Taking Joana's hand, which relaxes) And she remembers
nothing of it?
JOANA. Oh, nothing!
FATOUM. This also happened in the convent.
ZORAYA. No, no! I prefer to have her tell me about it, herself.
JOANA. While in the convent I was frequently seized at night by a
desire which led me to walk barefoot through the corridors to the
chapel where I lighted the altar candles, prayed and sang a
canticle!--and the next day the candles were still burning and I
would not believe that I had lighted them. I prayed in vain to God
to deliver me from this infirmity. I decided to come to you this
morning with Fatoum, who says you are so wise!--For I am to be
married today. If my husband sees me get up in the night and
promenade like a phantom, he will believe it is a punishment from
Heaven!--He will abhor me and I will die of shame!
ZORAYA. (Leaning towards her) And during the day when you pray you
fall into a dream of ecstasy, do you not--and you make believe that
you are no more on this earth?
JOANA. (Feeling gradually the suggestions to sleep) Oh, yes--yes!--It
is so beautiful! Ah, it is delicious! I see Heaven!--blue--all blue,
encircled with a golden light!--I hear the songs of seraphim and
archangels!----
ZORAYA. And is all beautiful in this delicious slumber into which you
are falling?
JOANA. (Sleepily) Yes!--Yes, beautiful!