The solitude had no terrors for her, but she shrank back with alarm
when the moon suddenly cast a long shadow across her pathway.
The shadow of a man! She stood still for a moment in a listening
attitude.
"Allah protect me!" she murmured, as she drew her veil more closely
about her and walked on.
She had almost reached the stairway when the shadow came close to
her side, and a hand was laid on her shoulder.
"Stay, Masa," whispered a voice.
She trembled and sought to walk on, but her feet seemed chained to
the ground. She thought the ghins were detaining her, and she prayed
to Allah from her inmost soul to release her from their dread
enchantment.
"Fear me not, Masa," said a kindly voice; "listen to me. I am no
enemy."
"I do not fear you," said she, in low, faint tones. "I fear neither
man nor the evil ghins, for the welis guard me, and my mother's eyes
watch over me. Allah, too, is always with me wherever I go, by night
or day. Yet I know that you are my enemy, because you are my
father's enemy."
"Oh, do not say this! Your words pierce my heart."
"But yet you are my enemy, for you are my father's enemy; I know
you, I recognize the fierce youth who took my father prisoner at the
mosque this morning. It was you! I know you well, and my heart is
breaking. You are the author of my father's misery. You do evil, and
evil thoughts fill your heart.
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