The narrow winding streets, crowded
with a population breathing the now sufferable air, the illuminated
coffee-houses, the groups of gay yet sober revellers, the music, and the
dancing, and the animated recitals of the poet and the story-teller, all
combine to invest the starry hours with a beguiling and even fascinating
character of enjoyment and adventure.
It was the night after the visit of Abidan and the prophetess. Jabaster
had agreed to meet Abidan in the square of the great mosque two hours
after sunset, and thither he now repaired.
'I am somewhat before my time,' he said, as he entered the great square,
over which the rising moon threw a full flood of light. A few dark
shadows of human beings alone moved in the distance. The world was in
the streets and coffee-houses. 'I am somewhat before my time,' said
Jabaster. 'Conspirators are watchful. I am anxious for the meeting, and
yet I dread it. Since he broke this business, I have never slept. My
mind is a chaos. I will not think. If 'tis to be done, let it be done at
once. I am more tempted to sheathe this dagger in Jabaster's breast than
in Alroy's. If life or empire were the paltry stake, I would end a life
that now can bring no joy, and yield authority that hath no charm; but
Israel, Israel, thou for whom I have endured so much, let me forget
Jabaster had a mother!
'But for this thought that links me with my God, and leads my temper to
a higher state, how vain and sad, how wearisome and void, were this said
world they think of! But for this thought, I could sit down and die.
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