If it were not then a knowledge of her escapade--?

The relief from that fear made everything else bearable. She was
even able to entertain, with a certain welcome, the alternative
alarm that he had decided to marry again--that nightmare from whose
realization the unknown gods (or more truly, the unknown goddesses
of the Cairene demi-monde!) had assisted to save her.

There was a furtive excitement about him that fanned the
supposition.

Then, quite suddenly, the illuminating lightning cut the clouds.

"My dear child, I have news, really important news for you. If I
have not been discussing your future," said Tewfick Pasha, staring
with stern nonchalance ahead and determinedly unaware of her instant
stiffening of attention, "I have by no means been neglectful of
it.... To-day--indeed to-night--there has been a consummation of my
plans.... It is not to every daughter that a father may hurry with
such an announcement."

Her first feeling was a merciful relief. He knew nothing then of the
ball! She could breathe again.... It was her marriage that had
brought him.

No new danger, that, but the eternal menace that she had always to
dread.... But how many times had he promised that she should have no
unknown husband, imposed by tradition! How many times had she
indulged dreams of Europe, of bright, free romance!