Part 120 (2/2)
”Ibrahim!” she said, to the Nubian who appeared.
He retreated, and in a moment Ibrahim came, with his soft stride, up the staircase.
”Ibrahim,” she almost whispered, ”is Baroudi on board the _Loulia_?”
”Yes, my lady.”
She could hardly repress an exclamation.
”He is? Ibrahim”--in her astonishment she put one hand on his shoulder and grasped it tightly--”to-night, as soon as dinner is over, you are to have a felucca ready at the foot of the garden. D'you understand?”
He looked at her very seriously.
”Can you manage to row me across to the _Loulia_ without help?”
”My lady, I am as strong as Rameses the Second.”
”Very well then! Get a small, light boat. We shall go more quickly in that. How long is Baroudi going to stay?”
”I dunno.”
”Try to find out. Is Hamza with him?”
Ibrahim looked vicious.
”Hamza him there. But Hamza very bad boy. I not speak any more to Hamza.”
”Don't forget! Directly after dinner.”
She shut and relocked the door.
She took a hot bath, let down her hair, got into a wrapper, lay down, and tried to rest. But her body twitched with desire for active movement, almost worn out though she was. Again and again she got up, went out to the terrace, and looked at the _Loulia_. She took her gla.s.ses and tried to discern Baroudi on the upper deck. But she could not see him. Presently she pulled a long chair out to the balcony, and was just going to lie down on it when she heard a knock on the door.
”Ruby!”
It was Nigel. She felt inclined to rush across the room, to open the door, to seize him by the shoulders and thrust him out of the house, out of her life for ever.
”Ruby!”
”I am coming!” she said.
She waited an instant, striving for self-control. Every nerve in her body seemed to be quivering.
”The door is locked.”
”I know. I'm coming! I'm coming!”
She set her teeth, went to the door, and unlocked it.
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