Free Heart of the Night by Naguib Mahfouz Page B

you.’
    “I was elated. ‘Are you an expert in the interpretation of women’s glances?’ I asked him.
    “‘Yes, I am. I saw her looking at you several times during the performance, even before she knew who you were.’
    “‘May you be right, my friend.’
    “He cautioned me: ‘Remember that she is a respectable woman.’
    “I said, objecting, ‘What a pity!’
    “I thought about her. She was, undoubtedly, a precious person, and the fact that she was at least ten years my senior did not diminish her value. On the contrary, it increased her appeal. But the madness that had once ensnared me could not be repeated.
    “‘It is a great opportunity,’ said Shakroun.
    “‘What do you mean?’ I asked.
    “‘She is an excellent woman, as sweet as cream.’
    “‘Suppose I do not love her?’ I said.
    “‘Is this possible? Haven’t you smelled her sweet perfume?’
    “I laughed loudly. Not long ago Muhammad Shakroun had fallen in love with a dancer and married her. He was happy.

    “We went to al-Sadeeq’s house in Hilmiya to celebrate the circumcision of a child. The salamlik and the garden reminded me of my grandfather’s palace, though the garden was smaller and the wall was lower, and did not hide the house from the outside. A suradiq, the traditional tent, was set for us in the garden, where the fragrance of orange blossoms filled the air. It was springtime.
    “Muhammad Shakroun sang with great joy, and we repeated after him with unusual enthusiasm. My voice rose above the others as I sang, ‘My heart worries about you, my heart cares for you.’
    “After the second part of the program, wine and drugs had a strong effect on me. I sat under an orange tree in a state of total exhaustion. When Huda Hanim came to check on us and praise our performance, I stood to greet her, swaying.
    “‘You are in a terrible state,’ she said.
    “‘This is what happiness does to me,’ I explained.
    “She ordered that a glass of lemonade with soda be brought to me, then said, ‘I like a spirit of adventure.’
    “I realized she was alluding to my modest role in Muhammad Shakroun’s group. I said to her, ‘I decide my fate by my own free will.’
    “She smiled. ‘The true adventure is in man’s mind.’
    “‘What do you mean, my lady?’ I asked.
    “She ignored the question and said, ‘I heard exciting accounts of a misunderstanding between you and your grandfather.’
    “I said, defenseless, ‘So here we are. The news of my perdition is circulating among the ranks of high society.’
    “She smiled charmingly and left. I felt that the gate to a new life was slowly opening. At the end of the party, Muhammad Shakroun escorted me to a café in Bab al-Khalq and talked to me in a serious tone.
    “‘We have to manage matters,’ he said.
    “I asked, mischievously, ‘What matters, my skylark?’
    “‘Do not play dumb. I know from her lady-in-waiting that they know everything about you.’
    “‘Everything?’
    “Shakroun went on, ‘Their inquiry is meaningful.’
    “‘And the answers can have negative consequences,’ I added.
    “He stared at me inquisitively, then carried on. ‘Despite everything else, you are invited to a rendezvous in the Lipton Garden. I was asked to inform you.’
    “I said, shocked, ‘This is beyond my imagination.’
    “‘It is the plain truth,’ said Shakroun.
    “‘All right.’
    “‘We have to formulate a plan.’
    “‘You haven’t asked me about my feelings for her,’ I said.
    “‘I don’t think they’re hostile!’
    “‘Of course not.’
    “‘This is sufficient. I think the lady has fallen for you the way you did one day in the past,’ explained Shakroun.
    “‘You are exaggerating,’ I said.
    “‘Tell me, wouldn’t you be happy to marry her?’ he asked.
    “‘Do you think she has marriage in mind?’
    “‘She is against illegitimate relationships.’
    “‘Would she marry a vagabond?’
    “‘I know the story of a prince who left his