United States or Canada ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"Yes, it is mine," Rechid answered, civilly, trying to hide his annoyance. "I telegraphed from Naples to a friend in Alexandria to send me a private boat. I do not like crowds." "Neither do I, so I waited, too," I explained. "They told me there were always boats, and my big luggage has gone. I suppose yours has, too?" "No doubt," said Rechid Bey. "Good night, Milord Borrow."
Rechid was only their cat's-paw, thinking he played his own hand. Just what they wanted to do I can't tell, but I can tell from what one of them said to Monny in the temple, that they took her for Richard O'Brien's daughter.
I had to hear and wanted to hear the story of all that had happened from the moment she and Monny entered Rechid Bey's gate, to the moment they came out. Then there was Antoun's story to follow; and after that we had to compare notes: how everybody had felt, what everybody had thought, what everybody had done.
My role, less exciting but perhaps no less important, was to play the diplomat in beguiling the American Consul to stand by the wife of Rechid Bey, if the attempt at rescue succeeded, or if possible even if it failed.
"Well, you see, we left him inside Rechid's gate, where he'd just knocked down a big negro, and was keeping back Rechid and lots of other men anyhow three with a pistol not the one he lent me. He told us to go, so we went." He told them to go so they went! A change, this, for the Gilded Rose. She spoke at the moment like an obedient little girl.
He was enjoying Karnak because there was practically nothing "modern and Ptolemaic about it," but I thought how quickly he would lose this calmness of the student if some one blurted out a word about our plan for that evening. According to Monny, he had been "taken" with poor Mabella Hanem on board the Laconia admiring her so frankly that Rechid had banished his bride to her cabin.
An arabeah was in attendance upon us, also, and we put Brigit and Monny into it alone, for Rechid Bey's house, the driver informed us, was not far off. "Good luck!" I said encouragingly, and Brigit smiled gayly at me; but Monny was looking at Fenton. She was telling him something with her eyes; and, with a significant little gesture, she touched the small leather handbag she carried.
Who would open the door just closed? Would it be Mabel, or would Rechid Bey stride in, to reproach or insult them? "Are you sure it's loaded?" Biddy whispered. No need for Monny to ask what she meant. "Sure," she answered. The handle of the door turned. "Thank God!" cried Biddy, as a slim figure in a loose white robe framed itself in the doorway.
He is going to make them the fashion in America, next year. Yes, Madame Rechid Bey is a most explosive protegee for a girl to have, on her way to Egypt. I'm not sure even I am not innocuous by comparison; though I do wish you hadn't reminded me of my poor little step-daughter Esme, in her convent-school. If any one should get the idea that Monny but I won't put it in words!
This had seemed to the American Consul a providential combination: but to his disgust he found that there had been a reconciliation between the families. Dimitrius Nekean would not betray the Bransons' confidence, but he could not allow his roof to be used as a shelter for Rechid's runaway wife no, not even if Rechid had three other wives in his harem. Here was a situation!
Word Of The Day