ZORAYA. In a day, it is impossible!--Can you not come later? I shall
surely succeed in curing her by frequently placing her in the present
state in which she thinks of nothing, feels nothing and moves only at
my command.
FATOUM. Is it possible?--It is magic!
ZORAYA. No!--It is one of the mysterious laws of Nature that one will
can fasten upon another, as mine has upon this child's, and cause it
to submit. It is so, Fatoum, for good or bad. If my power over this
weaker creature were better established, and not so recent, I could
say to her at this moment: "On such a day, at such an hour, you shall
sleep this same sleep." And unless she guarded herself while asleep,
the least remembrance of that order on the stated day and hour would
cause her to sleep unexpectedly in spite of her will, completely
enslaved by mine. It is time to awaken her.
FATOUM. Not yet, I pray you!--Your will is so powerful. Can you not
give her some protection against this disease tonight?
ZORAYA. I can attempt it with great hope of success.
FATOUM. Oh! do it, Zoraya!--Do it! I shall forever bless you!
ZORAYA. Joana! I tell you not to have the least fear that your trouble
will return tonight. I have protected you. Do you understand?
JOANA. (Feebly) Yes!--Yes!
FATOUM. May Allah reward you!
ZORAYA. I tell you to awaken.
[She draws Joana to her, leans over her shoulder, places her hand on
the top of her head, breathes on her eyes and opens her eyelids.
Joana sighs, rouses herself, awakens and looks astonished.]
JOANA. (Sadly) Ah! you see!--I have slept again.
ZORAYA. No, señorita, no!--It is I who made you sleep.
JOANA. You can do that!
ZORAYA. And can also cure you.
JOANA. (Quickly) God has guided you!
ZORAYA. Be assured, your malady will not trouble you tonight. (Signs
of joy from Joana. Zoraya continues.) All service, of course, is
worthy of reward. Therefore, I put a price on your healing.
JOANA. Ah! I promise to pay in advance.
ZORAYA. You are going to the convent of Mercy?
JOANA. Yes, to ask for the blessing of the Holy Abbess.
ZORAYA. There is in that convent a Christian maid, who, for having
loved Kalem, is confined in a dungeon where she never sees daylight,
where she awaits death to deliver her, if she has not yet answered
its call.