Such a history she read now.

She was engrossed in it, and yet at times a little frown of annoyance wrinkled her forehead.

She gave an explanation of her annoyance; for once she exclaimed half aloud, "Oh, if only he wouldn't be so _funny_!" The author was indeed being very funny, and to her thinking never so funny as when the narrative should have been most engrossing.

She was reading the account of the first ascent of an aiguille in the Chamonix district, held by guides to be impossible and conquered at last by a party of amateurs.

In spite of its humor Sylvia Thesiger was thrilled by it.