So they went on, travelling the immeasurable desert; and Victoria had
not asked again, since Maieddine's refusal, the name of the place to
which they were bound. M'Barka seemed brighter, as if she looked
forward to something, each day closer at hand; and her courage would
have given Victoria confidence, even if the girl had been inclined to
forebodings. They were going somewhere, Lella M'Barka knew where, and
looked forward joyously to arriving. The girl fancied that their
destination was the same, though at first she had not thought so. Words
that M'Barka let drop inadvertently now and then, built up this
impression in her mind.
The "habitude du Sud," as Maieddine called it, when occasionally they
talked French together, was gradually taking hold of the girl. Sometimes
she resented it, fearing that by this time it must have altogether
enslaved Saidee, and dreading the insidious fascination for herself;
sometimes she found pleasure and peace in it; but in every mood the
influence was hard to throw off.
"The desert has taken hold of thee," Maieddine said one day, when he had
watched her in silence for a while, and seen the rapt look in her eyes.
"I knew the time would come, sooner or later. It has come now."
"No," Victoria answered. "I do not belong to the desert."
"If not to-day, then to-morrow," he finished, as if he had not heard.
They were going on towards Ouargla. So much he had told her, though he
had quickly added, "But we shall not stop there.
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