Julia flung the Koran across the room, herself face downward on the sofa, and wondered how on earth she was to stand it. “If it only were over and they were married and gone,” she thought. “Or if only the Royal Mail were due to-morrow instead of eleven days hence, and I could go! Or if I could go out and kill somebody, or get drunk like a man! Passive endurance! That is all the hell that any religion need promise us.”
She lay for three hours without moving, then heard the clatter of a horse’s hoofs. A moment later Denny knocked and handed her a cablegram. She opened it without interest. It was from Ishbel, and informed her that Nigel might take the next steamer for Nevis. Julia broke into hysterical laughter.
“Is my tragedy becoming a farce?” she thought. “But not if I can help it!”
She answered the cablegram at once, that the messenger might take it.
“Tell Nigel am leaving immediately.”
Then she returned to her sofa, too indolent to go to bed, and this time exhaustion gave her sleep.
XII
She was awakened by the rattling of her jalousie, and lifted her head, wondering if a storm were rising.
“Julia! Julia!” called an imperative voice.
She sprang to her feet and held her breath, not believing herself awake.