No, not quite as bad as that. Out of twenty-four Europeans, eight got back after three years in spite of all--and half a dozen of them had been lost before they ever got there. You have to pass through pretty bad fever belts. And at that time they had to face an attack of the Kurds, too, by which several were done for. But we shall be much better equipped. Furthermore, at the border we shall be joined by a Russian contingent which is traveling under military escort. And here, too, they think of putting a military aspect on the affair. As to the fever--that doesn't scare me--it can't do me any harm. As a young man I spent a number of particularly dangerous Summer nights in the _thermae_ of Caracalla--you know, of course, what boggy ground that is--and remained well. JULIAN But that doesn't prove anything. SALA Oh yes, a little. There I came across a Roman girl whose home was right by the Appian Way. She caught the fever and died from it.... To be sure, I am not as young as I was then, but so far I have been perfectly well. JULIAN (_who has already smoked several cigarettes, offers one to Sala_) Don't you smoke? SALA Thanks. Really, I shouldn't. Only yesterday Dr. Reumann told me I mustn't.... Nothing particular--my heart is a little restless, that's all. Well, a single one won't do any harm, I suppose. VALET (_enters_) Miss Herms, sir. She's asking whether she can see you. JULIAN Certainly. Ask her to come in. VALET (_goes out_) IRENE HERMS (_enters. She is about forty-three, but doesn't look it. Her dress is simple and in perfect taste. Her movements are vivacious, and at times almost youthful in their swiftness. Her hair is deeply blonde in color and very heavy. Her eyes are merry, good-humored most of the time, and easily filled with tears. She comes in with a smile and nods in a friendly manner to Sala. To Julian, who has gone to meet her, she holds out her hand with an expression on her face that is almost happy_) Good evening. Well? (_She has the habit of pronouncing that "well" in a tone of sympathetic inquiry_) So I did right after all in keeping my patience a couple of days more. Here I've got you back now. (_To Sala_) Can you guess the length of time we haven't seen each other? JULIAN More than three years. IRENE (_nods assent and permits him at last to withdraw his hand from hers_) In all our lives that has never happened before. And your last letter is already two months old. I call it "letter" just to save my face. But it was only a view-card. Where in the world have you been anyhow? JULIAN Sit down, won't you? I'll tell you all about it. Won't you take off your hat? You'll stay a while, I hope? IRENE Of course.--And the way you look! (_To Sala_) Fine, don't you think? I've always known that a gray beard would make him look awfully interesting. SALA (_to Julian_) Now you'll have nothing but pleasantries to listen to. Unfortunately I shall have to be moving. IRENE You're not leaving on my account, I hope?