Among others, Burton was offered Para, but would not take it. "Too
small a place for me after Damascus," he said.
The Burtons went into inexpensive lodgings, and waited for the brighter
days which were slow in dawning. With characteristic pride and
independence they kept their difficulties to themselves, and none
knew how hard their struggle was at this time. The Burtons received a
good deal of kindness in the way of hospitality. There was a general
impression that they had been unfairly treated by the Government, and
their friends were anxious to make it up to them. They paid many
pleasant visits; among others, to one of their kindest friends, Lady
Marian Alford. At her house they met Lord Beaconsfield; and at one of
her parties, when the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh were
present, by request of the hostess Burton dressed as a Bedawin shaykh,
and Isabel as a Moslem woman of Damascus. She was supposed to have
brought the Shaykh over to introduce him to English society; and though
many of those present knew Burton quite well, none of them recognized him
in his Arab dress until he revealed himself. The Burtons also attended
a banquet at the Mansion House, which interested them more than a little;
and when they wanted to make remarks--and they were in the habit of
expressing themselves very freely--they spoke Arabic, thinking no
one would understand it. Suddenly a man next them interrupted their
criticisms by saying also in Arabic, "You are quite right; I was just
thinking the same thing": the which shows how careful one should be at
public dinners.
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