noon
The far-off gold that kept it seemed to contain a secret darkness . In the oasis of Beni-Mora men , who had slowly roused themselves to pray , sank down to sleep again in the warm twilight of shrouded gardens or the warm night of windowless rooms . In the garden of Count Anteoni Larbi 's flute was silent . `` It is like noon in a mirage , '' Domini said softly . Count Anteoni nodded . `` I feel as if I were looking at myself a long way off , '' she added . `` As if I saw myself as I saw the grey sea and the islands on the way to Sidi-Zerzour .