That
seemed very odd now. The girl's hand trembled as for an instant it
touched Stephen's. He pressed her fingers, and was gone.
"Babe, I think this will be the last night of my life," said Saidee,
standing behind the girl, in the doorway, and pressing against her.
"Cassim will kill me, when he kills the men, because I know his secret
and because he hates me. If I could only have had a little happiness! I
don't want to die. I'm afraid. And it's horrible to be killed."
"I love being alive, but I want to know what happens next," said
Victoria. "Sometimes I want it so much, that I almost long to die. And
probably one feels brave when the minute comes. One always does, when
the great things arrive. Besides, we're sure it must be glorious as soon
as we're out of our bodies. Don't you know, when you're going to jump
into a cold bath, you shiver and hesitate a little, though you know
perfectly well it will be splendid in an instant. Thinking of death's
rather like that."
"You haven't got to think of it for yourself to-night. Maieddine
will----"
"No," the girl broke in. "I won't go with Maieddine."
"If they take this place--as they must, if they've brought many men,
you'll have to go, unless----"
"Yes; 'unless.' That's what I mean. But don't ask me any more. I--I
can't think of ourselves now."
"You're thinking of some one you love better than you do me."
"Oh, no, not better. Only----" Victoria's voice broke.
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