The Map of Love (63 page)

‘My, my!’ Sharif Basha smiles. ‘What a popular chap I am —’

‘Oh, darling, the people who know you
adore
you, would do anything for you, but you must not discount the others —’

‘Anna, listen. Listen, hush —’ He kisses her face, he wipes her tears, he holds her close and strokes her hair, her neck, her back. ‘Listen, I know it has been difficult for you —’

‘No, it has not.’

‘Yes, some of it has. I know. And I wish it could have been different. But we have made it worthwhile, have we not? I will not let anything come near us. Tonight I shall find out if
there is anything to this letter. And meanwhile, courage, Lady Anna. Go wash your face and don’t frighten Nur and my mother. I thought you were never afraid?’

‘I am now. For you.’

‘There is no need, believe me.’

Ya
qub Artin Basha translates into Arabic:

‘ “To the Branch of the Fair Tree, the Light Rain of the Generous Cloud, the Son and Daughter of the Prophet —” ’ He raises his eyes, looks over his spectacles. ‘Is this a joke?’ he asks.

‘Read, read, mon ami,’ Sharif Basha says, lying back in his chair, his legs stretched out, his feet crossed at the ankles, his eyes closed.

‘ “To the Drawn Sword of the Straight Way, Seyyid Ahmed el-Sherif — ” ’

‘Sayyid Ahmad al-Sharif? Who’s he?’ Shukri Bey al-
Asali asks. Ya
qub Basha shrugs and continues:

‘ “May he be always under the protection of the divine eye — fullest greeting and most perfect benediction. May all the odour of these greetings be upon you and may the blessing of God cover you — ” ’

‘The odour?’ Sharif Basha opens his eyes: ‘Was that the
odour
of — what? Blessings?’

‘ “Greetings”,’ Shukri Bey says.

‘I think he means “perfumed greetings”,’ Ya
qub Basha says, frowning at the paper in his hand.

‘Well, in that case …’ Sharif Basha closes his eyes again.

‘ “What I wish you to understand by this letter is that the bearer and that which he bore have reached us and that your wish is established in our understanding; but we have been able to understand from your messenger verbally only so much as you have declared in your letter. How can one arrive at the planet Souad? To arrive there -” What is this planet Souad?’

‘ “Su
ad has appeared and my heart today is full of joy”,’ Sharif Basha quotes.

‘Your mood is very clear today, ya Basha,’ Shukri Bey smiles.

‘I have been working in the garden all day. Planting trees for Nur.’

Ya
qub Basha rustles his papers and continues: ‘ “To arrive there the summits of mountains must be passed, and beyond, there is death. For the thing which you have conceived is very difficult, and its difficulties are insurmountable even for one who might have greater means than you, and that is a thing impossible. The matter presents obstacles which can be explained neither by direct statement nor by implication. He who would wish to reach it will find many things which are opposed to the Sacred Law, even supposing him to reach it safe and sound. On the contrary, he must stoop and crouch, and even thus he will not attain his end. God is generous and merciful. Inquiry has been made.

‘ “Is his demand that he should arrive in the night at the stated time, or would he arrive at another moment? God makes him happy who states things openly and clearly. Some say that the time indicated in the Sacred Law is less disadvantageous, so that the principal may enter into the accessory. Is it possible — ” ’

Shukri Bey starts to laugh. Sharif Basha grins at him and Shukri Bey throws back his head and roars with mirth. Ya
qub Basha frowns at him over his glasses.

‘Forgive him,’ Sharif Basha says. ‘He is but a foolish Arab and afflicted with lightness of the brains. He comprehends not the words of the sagacious —’

‘This is not a laughing matter,’ Ya
qub Basha says.

‘I really — what rot!’ Shukri Bey says, wiping his eyes with his handkerchief. ‘And that last bit about the principal — did you get that right?’

‘Let us have the rest of it,’ Sharif Basha says.

Ya
qub Basha adjusts his spectacles. ‘ “Is it possible for lovers at night to go twice, first giving precedence to their chiefs and then causing others to follow them? Lightness of clothing and food indicates sagacity of mind. He has cast aside
the sheet of paper to lighten his steps until he has flung away even his shoes. It is a true saying: (verse) “Why do the camels march so slowly? Are they bearing stone or iron?” ‘

‘Ah, the camels — I have been waiting for those!’ Sharif Basha sits up. ‘There had to be camels.’

‘Rubbish. Rubbish!’ Shukri Bey says.

‘There is more,’ Ya
qub Basha says. ‘All in the same vein.’ He scans the rest of the letter. ‘And wait — “If our journey takes place, the divine power having permitted it, the fast will be preferable in the month of Rajeb, the return being in that month —” In Rajab. Something is to happen in Rajab?’