Arabian girl, possibly? (4)

I believe the answer is:

bess

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'arabian girl' is the definition.
'Bess' can be an answer for 'girl'. I am not certain of the 'arabian' bit.

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for bess that I've seen before include "Nickname for English queen" , "George Gershwin opera 'Porgy and . . . .'" , "Black - was Dick Turpin's horse" , "Operatic mate for Porgy" , "Elizabeth (dim.)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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