are too strong." She paused. "The Under-Secretary for Foreign
Affairs will do nothing; but yet we must hope. Claridge Pasha has saved
himself in the past; and he may do so now, even though it is all ten
times worse. Then, there is another way. Nahoum Pasha can save him, if
he can be saved. And I am going to Egypt--to Nahoum."

Faith's face blanched. Something of the stark truth swept into her
brain. She herself had suffered--her own life had been maimed, it had
had its secret bitterness. Her love for her sister's son was that of a
mother, sister, friend combined, and he was all she had in life. That
he lived, that she might cherish the thought of him living, was the
one thing she had; and David must be saved, if that might be; but this
girl--was she not a girl, ten years younger than herself?--to go to
Egypt to do--what? She herself lived out of the world, but she knew the
world! To go to Egypt, and--"Thee will not go to Egypt. What can thee
do?" she pleaded, something very like a sob in her voice. "Thee is but
a woman, and David would not be saved at such a price, and I would not
have him saved so. Thee will not go. Say thee will not. He is all
God has left to me in life; but thee to go--ah, no! It is a bitter
world--and what could thee do?"

Hylda looked at her reflectively. Should she tell Faith all, and take
her to Egypt? No, she could not take her without telling her all, and
that was impossible now. There might come a time when this wise and
tender soul might be taken into the innermost chambers, when all
the truth might be known; but the secret of David's parentage was
Eglington's concern most of all, and she would not speak now; and what
was between Nahoum and David was David's concern; and she had kept his
secret all these years. No, Faith might not know now, and might not come
with her. On this mission she must go alone.

Hylda rose to her feet, still keeping hold of Faith's hand. "Go back
to Hamley and wait there," she said, in a colourless voice. "You can do
nothing; it may be I can do much. Whatever can be done I can do, since
England will not act. Pray for his safety. It is all you can do. It is
given to some to work, to others to pray. I must work now."

She led Faith towards the door; she could not endure more; she must hold
herself firm for the journey and the struggle before her. If she broke
down now she could not go forward; and Faith's presence roused in her an
emotion almost beyond control.