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The Lamp in the Desert by Ethel M. (Ethel May) Dell
page 62 of 495 (12%)
excellency!" he insisted, seeming to utter the words through parched
lips. "Will not his excellency deign to give his unworthy servant one
precious moment that he may speak in the august one's ear alone?"

"This is highly mysterious," commented Dacre. "I think I shall have to
find out what he wants, eh, Stella? His information may be valuable."

"Oh, do send him away!" Stella entreated. "I am not used to these
natives. They frighten me."

"My dear child, what nonsense!" laughed Dacre. "What harm do you imagine
a doddering old fool like this could do to any one? If I were Monck, I
should invite him to join the party. Not being Monck, I propose to hear
what he has to say and then kick him out. You run along to bed, dear!
I'll soon settle him and follow you. Don't be uneasy! There is really no
need."

He kissed her lightly with the words, flattered by her evident anxiety
on his behalf though fully determined to ignore it.

Stella turned beside him in silence, aware that he could be immovably
obstinate when once his mind was made up. But the feeling of dread
remained upon her. In some fantastic fashion the beauty of the night had
become marred, as though evil spirits were abroad. For the first time
she wanted to keep her husband at her side.

But it was useless to protest. She was moreover half-ashamed herself at
her uneasiness, and his treatment of it stung her into the determination
to dismiss it. She parted with him before their tent with no further
sign of reluctance.
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