'And here is a Turkish volume of poetry, beautifully illuminated; and
that is for you,' said Cadurcis giving it to Herbert. 'Perhaps it is a
translation of one of our works. Who knows? We can always say it is.'
'This is the second present you have made me this morning. Here is a
volume of my works,' said Herbert, producing the book that Cadurcis
had before given him. 'I never expected that anything I wrote would be
so honoured. This, too, is the work of which I am the least ashamed
for my wife admired it. There, Annabel, even though Lord Cadurcis is
here, I will present it to you; 'tis an old friend.'
Lady Annabel accepted the book very graciously, and, in spite of all
the temptations of her toys, Venetia could not refrain from peeping
over her mother's shoulder at its contents. 'Mother,' she whispered,
in a voice inaudible save to Lady Annabel, 'I may read this!'
Lady Annabel gave it her.
'And now we must send for Pauncefort, I think,' said Lady Annabel, 'to
collect and take care of our treasures.'
'Pauncefort,' said Lord Cadurcis, when that gentlewoman appeared, 'I
have brought you a shawl, but I could not bring you a turban, because
the Turkish ladies do not wear turbans; but if I had thought we should
have met so soon, I would have had one made on purpose for you.
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