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Hichens, Robert Smythe, 1864-1950

"The Garden of Allah"


"I told Batouch to put our tents on the other side of the bordj," she
answered.
"Yes. But why?"
"I thought that to-night it would be better if we were a little more
alone than we are here, just opposite to that Cafe Maure, and with the
servants. And on the other side there are the palms and the water. And
the doves were talking there as we rode in. When we have finished dinner
we can go and sit there and be quiet."
"Together," he said.
An eager light had come into his eyes. He leaned forward towards her
over the little table and stretched out his hand.
"Yes, together," she said.
But she did not take his hand.
"Domini!" he said, still keeping his hand on the table, "Domini!"
An expression, that was like an expression of agony, flitted over her
face and died away, leaving it calm.
"Let us finish," she said quietly. "Look, they have taken the tents! In
a moment we can go."
The doves were silent. The night was very still in this nest of the
Sahara. Ouardi brought them coffee, and Batouch came to say that the
tents were ready.
"We shall want nothing more to-night, Batouch," Domini said.


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