Suddenly she saw me.

She had cast her veil aside in order to enjoy the cool and fragrant
air, and as she stopped and regarded me doubtfully where I sat, I saw
her beautiful face, undefiled, now, by make-up and unspoiled by the
presence of garish Eastern ornaments. _Nom d'un nom!_ but she was truly
a lovely woman! My heart went out in sympathy to the poor Grand Duke.
Had I received such a mark of favour from her as he had received, and
had I then been scorned as now she scorned him, I should have been
desperate indeed.

Coming around a bend in the path, then, she stood only a few paces
away, looking at me. I touched the peak of my cap.

"Good-day, mademoiselle," I said. "The weather is very beautiful."

"Good-day," she replied.

I continued to eat cheese, and reassured she walked on past me. Twenty
yards beyond, the Grand Duke was waiting. As I laid down my knife upon
the paper which had been wrapped around the bread and cheese, and
raised the bottle to my lips, the enamoured nobleman stepped out from
the trees and bowed low before Zara el-Khala.

She started back from him--a movement of inimitable grace, like that
of a startled gazelle. And even before I had time to get upon my feet
she had raised a little silver whistle to her lips and blown a short
shrill note.