The General stood still for a moment, measuring his man from head to foot, and then said—
"Leave us, Helena."
Helena hesitated, and the General said, "I'm better now—leave us."
With that she went out reluctantly, turning at the door to look at her enemy, who stood in his great height in the middle of the floor and never so much as glanced in her direction.
CHAPTER XXVI
Both men continued to stand during the interview that followed—the one in his white robes by the end of the sofa, resting two tapering fingers upon it, the other in his General's uniform by the side of the desk, except when in the heat of his anger he strode with heavy step and the jingling of spurs across the space between.
"Now, sir, now," said the General. "I have urgent work to do, and not much time to give you. What is it?"
"I come," said Ishmael, who was outwardly very calm, though his large black eyes were full of fire and light, "I come to speak to you about the order to close El Azhar."
"Then you come to the wrong place," said the General sharply. "You should go to the Agency—the British Agency."
"I have seen the English lord already. He refuses to withdraw his order. Therefore I am here to ask you—forgive me—I am here to ask you not to obey it."