But now that he was so near he was afraid to go in; and now that he was so soon to learn the truth he dreaded to hear it.

So he walked to and fro on the heath outside the town, paltering with himself, struggling with himself, eating out his heart with eagerness, trying to believe that he was waiting for the night.
The night came at length, and, under a deep-blue sky fast whitening with thick stars, Israel passed unknown through the Moorish gate, which was still open, and down the narrow lane to the market square.

At the gate of the Mellah, which was closed, he knocked, and demanded entrance in the name of the Kaid.

The Moorish guards who kept it fell back at sight of him with looks of consternation.
"Israel!" cried one, and dropped his lantern.
Israel whispered, "Keep your tongue between your teeth!" and hurried on.
At the door of his own house, which was also closed, he knocked again, but more fearfully.

The black woman Habeebah opened it cautiously, and, seeing his jellab, she clashed it back in his face.
"Habeebah!" he cried, and he knocked once more.
Then Ali came to the door.