The stranger, who was a young Frank, having first made a motion as of flight, became emboldened and approached her, with a heightened color and trembling lips, arising from a too lively emotion or from an excess of prudence on account of the negress. He merely inquired from Baïla the way to the city. He expressed himself very well in Turkish; she did not appear, however, to understand him. What! a stranger, eluding the vigilance of guards, had crossed the double circuit of the gardens which enclosed her—had braved death—merely to ask his way! Restored to a feeling of her situation, she rose, with an offended air, drew from her girdle a small dagger, ornamented with diamonds—a plaything, rather than offensive or defensive arms—and made an imperious sign to him to retire. The young man recoiled before the beautiful slave, with an appearance of contriteness and embarrassment, but without ceasing to regard her earnestly. He appeared to be unable to remove his eyes from the picture which had riveted his attention; still, however, undecided and muttering confused words, he was crossing the porch of the palm trees, when the negress suddenly awoke. At the sight of the shadow of a man, which reached into the enclosure, she sprang up, uttering a cry of alarm. “What are you doing?” said Baïla, placing herself before her, doubtless from a feeling of pity toward the imprudent youth. “But that shadow—do you not see it? It is that of a man!” “Of a bostangy! Who else would have dared to enter here?” “But the bostangis should be more careful. Has not our master prohibited them from entering the gardens when we are here—when you are here? A man has entered, I tell you; I saw his shadow.” “Of what shadow are you speaking? Stop—look!” and Baïla stopped before the negress. “I saw it,” repeated the negress. “The shadow of a tree—yes, that is possible.” “Trees do not run, and it appeared to run.” “You have been dreaming, my good Mariam,” and Baïla maintained so well that no one had been there, that she had seen nothing, but in a dream, that Mariam submissively feigned to believe her, and both prepared to return to the house. They were half way there when, on turning an alley, the negress uttered a new cry, pointing to an individual who was escaping at full speed. “Am I dreaming this time?” she said, and she was about to call for assistance, when the odalisk, placing her hand on her mouth, ordered her to keep silence. Mariam, who was devoted to her mistress, obeyed her. Having returned to her apartment, Baïla reflected on her adventure. Adventures are rare in a harem life. She was intriguing there desperately, and would have been disquieted had she not had other cares. These, in their turn, occupied her thoughts. In thinking of them she became fretful, angry; she crushed the rich stuffs which lay beside her. She even wept, but rather from passion than grief.