Michael’s Egypt had not been a very terrible house of bondage, and the darker moments of his abduction did not dwell on his memory; but years later, when first he tasted beer, he put down the glass with a shudder, as the smell and taste brought back a sense of distress, confusion, and horror in a gas-lit, crowded bar, full of loud-voiced, rough figures, and resounding with strange language and fierce threats to make him swallow the draught which, no doubt, had been drugged.
CHAPTER XL
JOY WELL-NIGH INCREDIBLE
The midday letters were a riddle to the ladies at Malvern.
‘Out all day,’ said Mary, ‘that is well. He will get strong out boating.’
‘I hope Herbert has come home to take him out,’ said Constance.
‘Or he may be yachting. I wonder he does not say who is taking him out. I am glad that he can feel that sense of enjoyment.’
Yet that rejoicing seemed to be almost an effort to the poor mother who craved for a longer letter, and perhaps almost felt as if her Frank were getting out of sympathy with her grief—and what could be the good news?
‘Herbert must have passed!’ said Constance.
‘I hope he has, but the expression is rather strong for that,’ said Lady Adela.
‘Perhaps Ida is engaged to that Mr. Deyncourt? Was that his name?’ said Lady Northmoor languidly.