"Since that day I have spoken of these things to many men; I have endeavoured to move their hearts to seek by what way the hope might be able to enter them. But the men have only jeered at me; they received my prophecy with insults. "I returned then to my own country. I married; but nothing was able to snatch from my heart the hope which God had placed there; only I had hidden it in myself as a precious treasure which I feared to see misunderstood. Then I heard it related that a great princess of Europe had arrived in Syria, and I recognised the Queen whom the prophecy had announced to me." And Pierre embroidered with fertility and imagination on this unique theme. Lady Hester heard people talking of the doctor's strange recruit. Amused by the extravagant tales of the former soldier of Bonaparte, secretly flattered at seeing ascribed to her a part of the first importance, a situation of which she was very fond, disturbed also by the remembrance of the predictions of Brothers, she caused the "cook-prophet" to enter her service. But had she not already foreseen that she would be able to make use of him, or another? The sovereigns of the West had buffoons at their Courts who made the mob laugh; the pachas of the East had prophets who made it fear. And there is there a symbol which did not want for realism. Lady Hester, who was looking for a corner of the earth where she could play the petty potentate, procured a precious auxiliary to impose her wishes on the people, willingly credulous when the Korbach is behind. And Pierre was placed in reserve for a favourable opportunity. He accompanied the traveller for seven years. CHAPTER VI FAR NIENTE AT DAMASCUS ON August 27, 1812, Lady Hester had left Deir-el-Kammar, edified on the subject of Eastern hospitality. The Emir Bechir had supplied all the requirements of her table with great magnificence, it is true, but had caused a hint to be conveyed to her, by one of his intimates, that he expected a present of equivalent value. It cost her 2000 piastres, pieces of brocade and gratuities to all the servants, from the major-domo to the meanest scullion, and they formed a tribe! She left disgusted by an invitation which had cost her so dear. As for the horse with which Bechir had presented her, one which the doctor had admired, he was vicious, and Lady Hester got rid of him, to the profit of the janissary.