The Gabriel Hounds by Mary Stewart Page A

her. If necessary I shall play hell and insist.’
    ‘There’s no need.’
    I jumped. I hadn’t heard Mr Lethman come back, but he was there, with Jassim behind him, coming quickly along the shaded side of the arcade, and looking as if he’d been hurrying. Or, I thought, as if he’d had a slightly dicey interview. At least he looked wide awake now, even brisk.
    ‘She’ll see me?’
    ‘Yes, she’ll see you, but I’m afraid it’ll have to be later tonight.’ He made an apologetic gesture. ‘I’m sorry, I did try to persuade her, but I told you, it’s not a good day, so I didn’t like to press it. She’s had a touch of bronchial asthma lately, nothing to worry about, but it sometimes prevents her from sleeping. She won’t hear of calling the doctor, and since we still had the prescription from last autumn – it was the same trouble then – I didn’t overrule her. In a way it’s the remedy that’s the trouble, rather than the disease. She finds it depressive. To tell you the truth, the idea of a visit from you cheered her up a good deal.’
    ‘That’s wonderful. I promise not to tire her.’
    ‘Have you made arrangements with your driver? I’ll fix you up with a room now, before I go back to your great-aunt.’
    ‘It’s all settled. Hamid’s coming back for me tomorrow.’
    ‘Fine,’ he said, as if he meant it. ‘Well, if you’ll come with me, Jassim will show your driver the way back to the gate.’
    As I said goodbye to Hamid, I thought I saw Jassim looking at me rather longingly, as if he would have liked to throw me out, too. But he eventually shuffled off into the shadows, and Hamid, with a final cheerful wave to me, went after him.
    Mr Lethman led me the other way, towards the rear of the buildings.
    ‘So she didn’t take much persuading after all?’ I said.
    ‘None at all,’ he admitted, ‘once she’d grasped who you were. To be honest she couldn’t remember much about you, but she’s very keen to see you now.’
    ‘I had a feeling she might be. Sheer roaring curiosity, I suppose.’
    He glanced down with what looked like surprise. ‘Well … yes, you could say so. Don’t you mind?’
    ‘Why should I? The motive doesn’t matter as long as the result’s all right. She’s seeing me, isn’t she? Anyway, it’s only fair. What d’you imagine
my
main motive is for visiting Dar Ibrahim?’
    ‘I – yes, of course.’ He sounded disconcerted.
    ‘What’s the matter? For goodness’ sake, does that shock you?’
    ‘No. But … you’re a very unusual girl, aren’t you?’
    ‘Because I insist on my own way, or because I don’t think relations are obliged to be fond of one another whether they like it or not? It’s not unusual, it’s onlythat most people won’t admit it.’ I laughed. ‘Oh yes, I like to go my own way, but I recognise other people’s right to do the same thing. It’s about the only thing in my favour.’
    ‘What if their way isn’t the same as yours?’
    ‘Oh, if I feel really strongly about anything, it’s full steam ahead and damn the torpedoes, but I’m open to argument. Where are you going to put me?’
    ‘In the Seraglio.’
    ‘Well, that’s putting me in my place, isn’t it? Under lock and key?’
    ‘Just about. At least, all the windows are barred.’ He smiled down at me, suddenly charming. ‘It’s only because it’s the best end of the palace, I assure you … We may be grudging hosts, but once we’ve had to give in, we do the thing properly. First-class accommodation, to make up for lack of welcome. Did you know that the Lady Hester Stanhope graded her guests according to status? I believe the third-class used to get a pretty rough night.’
    ‘She would. It’s nice of you to top-grade me when I’m giving you all this trouble.’
    ‘Heavens, it’s no trouble. Actually I’m delighted you’re staying – your great-aunt isn’t the only one who likes company … I’m simply relieved she took it this way and I didn’t have