O my lord, where I go bounty and famine are the same." Kaid took a step forward.

"Let me see thy face," he said, something strange in her tone moving him with awe.
She lowered her veil and looked him in the eyes.

Her wan beauty smote him, conquered him, the exquisite pain in her face filled Kaid's eyes with foreboding, and pierced his heart.
"O cursed day that saw thee leave these walls! I did it for thy good--thou wert so young; thy life was all before thee! But now--come, Zaida, here in Kaid's Palace thou shalt have a home, and be at peace, for I see that thou hast suffered.

Surely it shall be said that Kaid honours thee." He reached out to take her hand.
She had listened like one in a dream, but, as he was about to touch her, she suddenly drew back, veiled her face, save for the eyes, and said in a voice of agony: "Unclean, unclean! My lord, I am a leper!" An awed and awful silence fell upon them all.

Kaid drew back as though smitten by a blow.
Presently, upon the silence, her voice sharp with agony said: "I am a leper, and I go to that desert place which my lord has set apart for lepers, where, dead to the world, I shall watch the dreadful years come and go.