Hasan pushed Miriam away from himself and jumped to his feet. Agitated like she had never seen him before, he began pacing furiously around the pool. There was something almost monstrous about him. It occurred to her that he might be mad. She had a vague intimation of the meaning of his words. She asked him in a timid voice, “So what did you do then?”
Hasan came to a sudden stop. He regained his composure and a smile, part teasing, part mocking, played over his lips.
“What did I do then?” he repeated after her. “I looked for a chance to make the fairy tale come true. I came here, to Alamut. The fairy tale has come to life, paradise has been created and awaits its first visitors.”
Miriam stared fixedly at him. Looking him in the eye, she said slowly, “You could be the one I once dreamt you might be.”
Hasan smirked in amusement.
“So who am I, then?”
“If you’ll permit me to express myself allegorically, the horrible dreamer from hell.”
Hasan burst out in a strange laugh.
“Quite charming,” he said. “Now you know my intentions and it’s time for me to give you specific instructions. Any resident of these gardens who gives anything away to the visitors will be put to death. You will remain silent about everything. I will make no exceptions. I hope you’ve understood me. You must impress upon the girls that for greater reasons they have to behave as though they were really in paradise. This is your assignment for now. Get ready for it. Expect me again tomorrow evening. Good night!”