He was either busy in his laboratory, or with his books, or riding over the common and through the woods, and their courses lay apart.
But there came an afternoon when Hylda and David were a long hour together at the Cloistered House.

They talked freely of his work in Egypt.

At last she said: "And Nahoum Pasha ?" "He has kept faith." "He is in high place again ?" "He is a good administrator." "You put him there!" "Thee remembers what I said to him, that night in Cairo ?" Hylda closed her eyes and drew in a long breath.

Had there been a word spoken that night when she and David and Nahoum met which had not bitten into her soul! That David had done so much in Egypt without ruin or death was a tribute to his power.

Nevertheless, though Nahoum had not struck yet, she was certain he would one day.