'We are thy suppliants for food and rest this night.' 'All mine is thine,' the old man answered, coming to hold my horse's head, while I dismounted.

His wrinkled face was moulded to a patient, sad expression, which became more noticeable when he smiled; and he was always smiling.
I went into the tower and down a flight of much-worn steps, which ended in a heap of fallen masonry.
'Deign to proceed,' called out the tenant from behind me; when, climbing over the obstruction, I found myself in a large room, of which the only furniture consisted in a heap of bedding and some cooking things.

Rather to my surprise the place was clean.

The old man flung himself upon the ground and blew upon the mass of charcoal in a brazier, and presently a smell of coffee stewing filled the dungeon; for such it doubtless had been in the past, its only window being high above our heads, yet only just above the level of the rock, as I discovered when I went to seek Rashid, who, by our host's direction, had bestowed the horses in a cavern by the sea.

The blind old woman still sat out before the door.
I walked all round the tower and noticed small fields neatly fenced below it on the landward side, and a few hobbled goats upon a strip of herbage near the shore; which, with some fishing-nets spread out upon the rocks to dry, informed me how our host obtained a livelihood.
As I went back towards the door, I met Rashid bringing our saddlebags.
He nodded to the woman, who still sat there motionless, and told me: 'She is mad, the poor old creature--but not dangerous.