midday
The pillow beside her still bore the impress of his head . She looked at it with a growing horror in her eyes until an uncontrollable shuddering seized her and she cowered down , smothering the cry that burst from her in the soft pillows and dragging the silken coverings up around her as if their thin shelter were a protection . She lived again through every moment of the past night until thought was unendurable , until she felt that she would go mad , until at last , worn out , she fell asleep . It was midday when she awoke again . This time she was not alone . A young Arab girl was sitting on the rug beside her looking at her with soft brown eyes of absorbed interest As Diana sat up she rose to her feet , salaaming , with a timid smile . `` I am Zilah , to wait on Madame , '' she said shyly in stumbling French , holding out a wrap that Diana recognised with wonder as her own .