'I will give you a signal when danger
threatens,' whispered he, in my ear, when we parted, 'that you may
know that your friend is watching over you in the night also.' Yes,
I must go. But listen, Masa: when I am gone, replace the stone I
showed you yesterday, before the opening; and then go back into the
cave to the point where the passage turns, where no one can see the
entrance to the second cave. Remain there, and await the return of
him you love."
"I will do so, Mohammed. When you have gone, I will push the stone
before the entrance, and go back into the second cave, where I will
fall on my knees and pray to Allah and his prophet until my beloved
returns."
At this moment a third report resounded through the cave.
"Danger threatens--Masa, I must away. We will soon be free; farewell
until then, farewell! Ah! how pale you have suddenly become! Let me
look at you once more, my Masa!"
He raises her in his arms and carries her to the opening, and the
moon is gracious and illumines her countenance, but it also makes it
deathly pale.
"O Masa, my white dove, how pale you are! Yet your eyes are bright--
let me kiss them. And with this kiss I swear I will love you
eternally! And now kiss me, too, and let this kiss be the vow of
your eternal love for me!"
She kissed him passionately. "I love you, Mohammed, and you alone
will I love on earth!"
He looks at her tenderly, and shudders, for her countenance is still
deathly pale.
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