his whirling senses could not know, although it was their passionate
concern. But his last gleam of prudence got him through the gate he
heard her locking after.

And then, for her sake, he fled.




CHAPTER III

IN THE PASHA'S PALACE


Nearer sounded the footsteps on the graveled walk and in frightened
haste the girl drew out the key from the gate and slipped away into
the shrubbery, grateful for the blotting shadows.

At the foot of a rose bush she crouched to thrust the key into a
hole in the loose earth, covering the top and drawing the low
branches over it.

"Aimée," came a guarded call. "Aimée!"

Still stooping, she tried to steal through the bushes, but the
thorns held her and she stood up, pulling at her robes.

"Yes? Miriam?" she said faintly, and desperately freeing herself,
she hurried forward towards the dark, bulky figure of her old nurse,
emerging now into the moonlight.