“To hear is to obey，” said the Grand Vizier. He crawled backwards on all fours to the door， rose， bowed， and went out. Even then the Tisroc remained seated in silence on the divan till Aravis almost began to be afraid that he had dropped asleep. But at last with a great creaking and sighing he heaved up his enormous body， signed to the slaves to precede him with the lights， and went out. The door closed behind him， the room was once more totally dark， and the two girls could breathe freely again.
Across The Desert
“Hove dreadful！ How perfectly dreadful！” whimpered Lasaraleen. “Oh darling， I am so frightened. I‘m shaking all over. Feel me.”
“Come on，” said Aravis， who was trembling herself. “They’ve gone back to the new palace. Once we‘re out of this room we’re safe enough. But it‘s wasted a terrible time. Get me down to that water.gate as quick as you can.”
“Darling， how can you？” squeaked Lasaraleen. “I can’t do anything.not now. My poor nerves！ No： we must just lie still a bit and then go back.”
“Why back？” asked Aravis.
“Oh， you don‘t understand. You’re so unsympathetic，” said Lasaraleen， beginning to cry. Aravis decided it was no occasion for mercy.
