You ask me why I did not go to the Effendina. I come to
you because I know that you could circumvent the Effendina, even if he
sent ten thousand men. It is the way in Egypt."
"Madame, you have insight--will you not look farther still, and see that,
however good Claridge Pasha's work might be some day in the far future,
it is not good to-day. It is too soon. At the beginning of the twentieth
century, perhaps. Men pay the penalty of their mistakes. A man's
life"--he watched her closely with his wide, benevolent eyes--"is neither
here nor there, nor a few thousands, in the destiny of a nation. A man
who ventures into a lion's den must not be surprised if he goes as Harrik
went--ah, perhaps you do not know how Harrik went! A man who tears at the
foundations of a house must not be surprised if the timbers fall on him
and on his workmen. It is Destiny that Claridge Pasha should be the
slayer of my brother, and a danger to Egypt, and one whose life is so
dear to you, madame. You would have it otherwise, and so would I, but we
must take things as they are--and you see that letter.
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