_The_ Dervise Al-Hafi, Saladin, _and_ Sittah.

AL-HAFI.

The gold from Egypt, I suppose, is come.
Say, is it much?

SALADIN.

What! have you heard of it?

AL-HAFI.

Not I. I thought I should receive it here.

SALADIN (_pacing thoughtfully to and fro_).

Sittah has won a thousand dinars, pay them.

AL-HAFI.

Pay without getting. That is worse than nothing!
And still to Sittah--once again for chess!
But let us see the board; how stands the game?

SITTAH.

You grudge me my good fortune?

AL-HAFI (_examining the board_).

Grudge you? When--
You know too well----

SITTAH (_making signs to him_).

Oh, hush! Al-Hafi, hush!

AL-HAFI (_still examining the board_).

Don't grudge it to yourself.

SITTAH.

Al-Hafi, hush!

AL-HAFI.

And were the white men yours?
You gave the check?

SITTAH.

'Tis well he does not hear.

AL-HAFI.

The move is his.

SITTAH (_approaching nearer_).

Then promise me that I shall have the money.

AL-HAFI (_still intent upon the board_).

You shall receive it as you've always done.

SITTAH.

How! are you mad?

AL-HAFI.

The game's not over yet.
You have not lost it, Saladin.

SALADIN (_paying no attention_).

Oh, yes;
Pay down the money.

AL-HAFI.

Pay! here stands the queen.

SALADIN (_still heedless_).

She's of no use; she's lost.

SITTAH.

Do say that I
May send and fetch the gold.

AL-HAFI (_still studying the game_).

Oh, yes! of course.
But though the queen be