I saw it was for Richard,
and took it into the house to him, never thinking what it contained.
It was a curt letter from the Vice-Consul of Beyrout, informing Richard
that, by orders of his Consul-General, he had arrived at Damascus the
previous day, and had taken charge of the Consulate.
Richard and Charles Tyrwhitt-Drake were in the saddle in five minutes,
and galloped into Damascus without drawing rein. Richard would not let
me go with him. A few hours later a mounted messenger came back to
Bludan with these few written words: "Do not be frightened. I am
recalled. Pay, pack, and follow at convenience." I was not frightened;
but I shall never forget what my feelings were when I received that note.
Perhaps it is best not to try to remember them.
The rest of the day I went about trying to realize what it all meant.
When I went to bed that night, my mind was full of Richard, and I had
one of my dreams, a terribly vivid dream. I dreamed that Something
pulled me by the arm. I sat up in bed, and I could still see and feel
it, and it said in a loud whisper "Why do you lie there? Your husband
wants you. Get up and go to him."
I lay down again, and tried to sleep; but again it happened, and yet
again--three successive times; and big drops of sweat were on my
forehead. My English maid, who slept in the room, said, "Are you walking
about and talking, madam?" "No," I said; "but somebody is. Are you?"
"No," she answered, "I have not stirred; but you've been talking in
your sleep.
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