But to-day Allah
proclaims to me why it is that the sunlight is so glorious, that the
eagle soars so proudly aloft, that the waves surge so grandly. O
Masa, I will tell you why it is thus: it is because they are all
imbued with the spirit of creation, and this spirit is love--
eternal, illimitable love."
"Speak not thus," said the maiden, tremblingly. "Speak not thus to
me. It does not beseem a maiden to listen to a man's words of love
without the approval of her father."
"But will you not accord me this privilege, Masa?" asked he, gently.
"May I not go to your father and entreat him to give me the pure
maiden, that she may accompany me through day and night?"
"No, do not speak thus," she repeated, tremblingly. "You told me you
would speak of my father--speak of him, Mohammed Ali."
"Yes; of your father," murmured he. "I had so much, so very much to
say to you, and now it seems to me that all is already said. What
remains is as nothing, and is forgotten."
"You are mocking me," said she, gently. "You only wished to see if
my father's daughter would be foolish enough to follow you where she
should never go except at her father's side, or accompanied by
women. You have punished me, Mohammed, for my folly and boldness in
following you and confiding in you. If you have nothing to say to
me, then let me quickly go and return to my father's house.
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