Page:The Perfumed Garden - Burton - 1886.djvu/235

Rh very probably the door which communicates with the palace. Come, O my brother, we will await the things that are to come in one of these chambers." They took their position in a cabinet of difficult access, high up, and from which one could see without being seen.

So they waited till night came on. At that moment the secret door opened, giving admission to a negress carrying a torch, who set alight all the lustres and candelabra, arranged the beds, set the plates, placed all sorts of meats upon the tables, with cups and bottles, and perfumed the air with the sweetest scents.

Soon afterwards the maidens made their appearance. Their gait denoted at the same time indifference and languor. They seated themselves upon the divans, and the negress offered them meat and drink. They ate, drank, and sang melodiously.

Then the four men, seeing them giddy with wine, came down from their hiding place with their sabres in their hands, brandishing them over the heads of the maidens. They had first taken care to veil their faces with the upper part of their haik.

"Who are these men," cried Zohra, "who are invading our dwelling under cover of the shades of the night. Have you risen out of the ground, or did you descend from the sky? What do you want?"

"Coition!" they answered.

"With whom!" asked Zohra.

"With you, O apple of my eye!" then said Abou el Heidja, advancing. Zohra:

"Who are you?"

"I am Abou el Heidja."

Zohra: "But how is it you know me?"