the garden of allah-第42章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


opened　it。　Instantly　a　crowd　of　dark　faces　and　turbaned　heads　were
thrust　through　the　tall　aperture；　a　multitude　of　dusky　hands　fluttered
frantically；　and　the　cry　of　eager　voices；　saluting；　begging；　calling
down　blessings；　relating　troubles；　shrieking　wants；　proclaiming
virtues　and　necessities；　rose　into　an　almost　deafening　uproar。　But　not
a　foot　was　lifted　over　the　lintel　to　press　the　sunlit　sand。　The
Count's　pensioners　might　be　clamorous；　but　they　knew　what　they　might
not　do。　As　he　saw　them　the　wrinkles　in　his　face　deepened　and　his
fingers　quickened　to　achieve　their　purpose。

〃My　pensioners　are　very　hungry　to…day；　and；　as　you　see；　they　don't
mind　saying　so。　Hark　at　Bel　Cassem！〃

The　tomtom　and　the　shriek　that　went　with　it　made　it　a　fierce
crescendo。

〃That　means　he　is　starvingthe　old　hypocrite！　Aren't　they　like　the
wolves　in　your　Russia；　Monsieur？　But　we　must　feed　them。　We　mustn't　let
them　devour　our　Beni…Mora。　That's　it！〃

He　threw　the　string　on　to　the　sand；　plunged　his　hand　into　the　bag　and
brought　it　out　full　of　copper　coins。　The　mouths　opened　wider；　the
hands　waved　more　frantically；　and　all　the　dark　eyes　gleamed　with　the
light　of　greed。

〃Will　you　help　me？〃　he　said　to　Domini。

〃Of　course。　What　fun！〃

Her　eyes　were　gleaming　too；　but　with　the　dancing　fires　of　a　gay
impulse　of　generosity　which　made　her　wish　that　the　bag　contained　her
money。　He　filled　her　hands　with　coins。

〃Choose　whom　you　will。　And　now；　Monsieur！〃

For　the　moment　he　was　so　boyishly　concentrated　on　the　immediate
present　that　he　had　ceased　to　observe　whether　the　whim　of　others
jumped　with　his　own。　Otherwise　he　must　have　been　struck　by　Androvsky's
marked　discomfort；　which　indeed　almost　amounted　to　agitation。　The
sight　of　the　throng　of　Arabs　at　the　gateway；　the　clamour　of　their
voices；　evidently　roused　within　him　something　akin　to　fear。　He　looked
at　them　with　distaste；　and　had　drawn　back　several　steps　upon　the　sand；
and　now；　as　the　Count　held　out　to　him　a　hand　filled　with　money；　he
made　no　motion　to　take　it；　and　half　turned　as　if　he　thought　of
retreating　into　the　recesses　of　the　garden。

〃Here；　Monsieur！　here！〃　exclaimed　the　Count；　with　his　eyes　on　the
crowd；　towards　which　Domini　was　walking　with　a　sort　of　mischievous
slowness；　to　whet　those　appetites　already　so　voracious。

Androvsky　set　his　teeth　and　took　the　money；　dropping　one　or　two　pieces
on　the　ground。　For　a　moment　the　Count　seemed　doubtful　of　his　guest's
participation　in　his　own　lively　mood。

〃Is　this　boring　you？〃　he　asked。　〃Because　if　so〃

〃No；　no；　Monsieur；　not　at　all！　What　am　I　to　do？〃

〃Those　hands　will　tell　you。〃

The　clamour　grew　more　exigent。

〃And　when　you　want　more　come　to　me！〃

Then　he　called　out　in　Arabic；　〃Gently！　Gently！〃　as　the　vehement
scuffling　seemed　about　to　degenerate　into　actual　fighting　at　Domini's
approach；　and　hurried　forward；　followed　more　slowly　by　Androvsky。

Smain；　from　whose　velvety　eyes　the　dreams　were　not　banished　by　the
uproar；　stood　languidly　by　the　porter's　tent；　gazing　at　Androvsky。
Something　in　the　demeanour　of　the　new　visitor　seemed　to　attract　him。
Domini；　meanwhile；　had　reached　the　gateway。　Gently；　with　a　capricious
deftness　and　all　a　woman's　passion　for　personal　choice；　she　dropped
the　bits　of　money　into　the　hands　belonging　to　the　faces　that　attracted
her；　disregarding　the　bellowings　of　those　passed　over。　The　light　from
all　these　gleaming　eyes　made　her　feel　warm；　the　clamour　that　poured
from　these　brown　throats　excited　her。　When　her　fingers　were　empty　she
touched　the　Count's　arm　eagerly。

〃More；　more；　please！〃

〃Ecco；　Signora。〃

He　held　out　to　her　the　bag。　She　plunged　her　hands　into　it　and　came
nearer　to　the　gate；　both　hands　full　of　money　and　held　high　above　her
head。　The　Arabs　leapt　up　at　her　like　dogs　at　a　bone；　and　for　a　moment
she　waited；　laughing　with　all　her　heart。　Then　she　made　a　movement　to
throw　the　money　over　the　heads　of　the　near　ones　to　the　unfortunates
who　were　dancing　and　shrieking　on　the　outskirts　of　the　mob。　But
suddenly　her　hands　dropped　and　she　uttered　a　startled　exclamation。

The　sand…diviner　of　the　red　bazaar；　slipping　like　a　reptile　under　the
waving　arms　and　between　the　furious　bodies　of　the　beggars；　stood　up
before　her　with　a　smile　on　his　wounded　face；　stretched　out　to　her　his
emaciated　hands　with　a　fawning；　yet　half　satirical；　gesture　of　desire。



CHAPTER　XII

The　money　dropped　from　Domini's　fingers　and　rolled　upon　the　sand　at
the　Diviner's　feet。　But　though　he　had　surely　come　to　ask　for　alms；　he
took　no　heed　of　it。　While　the　Arabs　round　him　fell　upon　their　knees
and　fought　like　animals　for　the　plunder；　he　stood　gaping　at　Domini。
The　smile　still　flickered　about　his　lips。　His　hand　was　still　stretched
out。

Instinctively　she　had　moved　backwards。　Something　that　was　like　a
thrill　of　fear；　mental；　not　physical；　went　through　her；　but　she　kept
her　eyes　steadily　on　his；　as　if；　despite　the　fear；　she　fought　against
him。

The　contest　of　the　beggars　had　become　so　passionate　that　Count
Anteoni's　commands　were　forgotten。　Urged　by　the　pressure　from　behind
those　in　the　front　scrambled　or　fell　over　the　sacred　threshold。　The
garden　was　invaded　by　a　shrieking　mob。　Smain　ran　forward；　and　the
autocrat　that　dwelt　in　the　Count　side　by　side　with　the　benefactor
suddenly　emerged。　He　blew　his　whistle　four　times。　At　each　call　a
stalwart　Arab　appeared。

〃Shut　the　gate！〃　he　commanded　sternly。

The　attendants　furiously　repulsed　the　mob；　using　their　fists　and　feet
without　mercy。　In　the　twinkling　of　an　eye　the　sand　was　cleared　and
Smain　had　his　hand　upon　the　door　to　shut　it。　But　the　Diviner　stopped
him　with　a　gesture；　and　in　a　fawning　yet　imperious　voice　called　out
something　to　the　Count。

The　Count　turned　to　Domini。

〃This　is　an　interesting　fellow。　Would　you　like　to　know　him？〃

Her　mind　said　no；　yet　her　body　assented。　For　she　bowed　her　head。　The
Count　beckoned。　The　Diviner　stepped　stealthily　on　to　the　sand　with　an
air　of　subtle　triumph；　and　Smain　swung　forward　the　great　leaf　of　palm
wood。

〃Wait！〃　the　Count　cried；　as　if　suddenly　recollecting　something。　〃Where
is　Monsieur　Androvsky？〃

〃Isn't　he？〃　Domini　glanced　round。　〃I　don't　know。〃

He　went　quickly　to　the　door　and　looked　out。　The　Arabs；　silent　now　and
respectful；　crowded　about　him；　salaaming。　He　smiled　at　them　kindly；
and　spoke　to　one　or　two。　They　answered　gravely。　An　old　man　with　one
eye　lifted　his　hand；　in　which　was　a　tomtom　of　stretched　goatskin；　and
pointed　towards　the　oasis；　rapidly　moving　his　toothless　jaws。　The
Count　stepped　back　into　the　garden；　dismissed　his　pensioners　with　a
masterful　wave　of　the　hand；　and　himself　shut　the　door。

〃Monsieur　Androvsky　has　gonewithout　saying　good…bye；〃　he　said。

Again　Domini　felt　ashamed　for　Androvsky。

〃I　don't　think　he　likes　my　pensioners；〃　the　Count　added；　in　amused
voice；　〃or　me。〃

〃I　am　sure〃　Domini　began。

But　he　stopped　her。

〃Miss　Enfilden；　in　a　world　of　lies　I　look　to　you　for　truth。〃

His　manner　chafed　her；　but　his　voice　had　a　ring　of　earnestness。　She
said　nothing。　All　this　time　the　Diviner　was　standing　on　the　sand；
still　smiling；　but　with　downcast　eyes。　His　thin　body　looked　satirical
and　Domini　felt　a　strong　aversion　from　him；　yet　a　strong　interest　in
him　too。　Something　in　his　appearance　and　manner　suggested　power　and
mystery　as　well　as　cunning。　The　Count　said　some　words　to　him　in
Arabic；　and　at　once　he　walked　forward　and　disappeared　among　the　trees；
going　so　silently　and　smoothly　that　she　seemed　to　watch　a　panther
gliding　into　the　depths　of　a　jungle　where　its　prey　lay　hid。　She　looked
at　the　Count　interrogatively。

〃He　will　wait　in　the　/fumoir/。〃

〃Where　we　first　met？〃

〃Yes。〃

〃What　for？〃

〃For　us；　if　you　choose。〃

〃Tell　me　about　him。　I　have　seen　him　twice。　He　followed　me　with　a　bag
of　sand。〃

〃He　is　a　desert　man。　I　don't　know　his　tribe；　but　before　he　settled
here　he　was　a　nomad；　one　of　the　wanderers　who　dwell　in　tents；　a　man　of
the　sand；　as　much　of　the　sand　as　a　viper　or　a　scorpion。　One　would
suppose　such　beings　were　bred　by　the　marriage　of　the　sand…grains。　The
sand　tells　him　secrets。〃

〃He　says。　Do　you　believe　it？〃

〃Would　you　like　to　test　it？〃

〃How？〃

〃By　coming　with　me　to　the　/fumoir/？〃

She　hesitated　obviously。

〃Mind；〃　he　added；　〃I　do　not　press　it。　A　word　from　me　and　he　is　gone。
But　you　are　fearless；　and　you　have　spoken　already；　will　speak　much
more　intimately　in　the　future；　with　the　desert　spirits。〃

〃How　do　you　know　that？〃

〃The　'much　more　intimately'？〃

〃Yes。〃

〃I　do　not　know　it；　butwhich　is　much　moreI　feel　it。〃

She　was　silent；　looking　towards　the　trees　where　the　Diviner　had
disappeared。　Count　Anteoni's　boyish　merriment　had　faded　away。　He
looked　grave；　almost　sad。

〃I　am　not　afraid；〃　she　said　at　last。　〃No；　butI　will　confess　it
there　is　something　horrible　about　that　man　to　me。　I　felt　it　the　first
time　I　saw　him。　His　eyes　are　too　intelligent。　They　look　diseased　with
intelligence。〃

〃Let　me　send　him　away。　Smain！〃

But　she　stopped　him。　Directly　he　made　the　suggestion　she　felt　that　she
must　know　more　of　this　man。

〃No。　Let　us　go　to　the　/fumoir/。〃

〃Very　well。　Go；　Smain！〃

Smain　went　into　the　little　tent　by　the　gate；　sat　down　on　his　haunches
and　began　to　smell　at　a　sprig　of　orange　blossoms。　Domini　and　the　Count
walked　into　the　darkness　of　the　trees。

〃What　is　his　name？〃　she　asked。

〃Aloui。〃

〃Aloui。〃

She　repeated　the　word　slowly。　There　was　a　reluctant　and　yet　fascinated
sound　in　her　voice。

〃There　is　melody　in　the　name；〃　he　said。

〃Yes。　Has　hehas　he　ever　looked　in　the　sand　for　you？〃

〃Oncea　long　time　ago。〃

〃May　Idare　I　ask　if　he　found　truth　there？〃

〃He　found　nothing　for　all　the　years　that　have　passed　since　then。〃

〃Nothing！〃

There　was　a　sound　of　relief　in　her　voice。

〃For　those　years。〃

She　glanced　at　him　and　saw　that　once　again　his　face　had　lit　up　into
ardour。

〃He　found　what　is　still　to　come？〃　she　said。

And　he　repeated：

〃He　found　what　is　still　to　come。〃

Then　they　walked　on　in　silence　till　they　saw　the　purple　blossoms　of
the　bougainvillea　clinging　to　the　white　walls　of　the　/fumoir/。　Domini
stopped　on　the　narrow　path。

〃Is　he　in　there？〃　she　asked　almost　in　a　whisper。

〃No　doubt。〃

〃Larbi　was　playing　the　first　day　I　came　here。〃

〃Yes。〃

〃I　wish　he　was　playing　now。〃

The　silence　seemed　to　her　unnaturally　intense。

〃Even　his　love　must　have　repose。〃

She　went　on　a　step　or　two　till；　but　still　from　a　distance；　she　could
look　over　the　low　plaster　wall　beneath　the　nearest　window　space　into
the　little　room。

〃Yes；　there　he　is；〃　she　whispered。

The　Diviner　was　crouching　on　the　floor　with　his　back　towards　them　and
his　head　bent　down。　Only　his　shoulders　could　be　seen；　covered　with　a
white　gandoura。　They　moved　perpetually　but　slightly。

〃What　is　he　doing？〃

〃Speaking　with　his　ancestor。〃

〃His　ancestor？〃

〃The　sand。　Aloui！〃

He　called　softly。　The　figure　rose；　without　sound　and　instantly；　and
the　face　of　the　Diviner　smiled　at　them　through　the　purple　flowers。
Again　Domini　had　the　sensation　that　her　body　was　a　glass　box　in　which
her　thoughts；　feelings　and　desires　were　ranged　for　this　man's
inspection；　but　she　walked　resolutely　through　the　narrow　doorway　and
sat　down　on　one　of　the　divans。　Cou