From Cupples & Hurd comes this novel, in covers ornamented with flowers and leaves of terra-cotta, on a background of Nile green.
It is written by Elisabeth Balch. As a story it has not much to commend it. There are several schemes begun, but not ended in any natural or artistic way. The intrusion of Mustapha into the council of religious conspirators against the Khedive is thrilling, but has no vital connection with the tale. There are poison, snake-charming, love-philters, rascals, and wrestling in the book; and the slight plot, the union of an Arab official with an English girl, is chiefly useful for the introduction of descriptions of Egyptian life—a marriage, a burial, Shepheard's Hotel, the Empress Eugenie's visit, a hareem. In this latter aspect, Zorah is very persuasive reading, and gives one a peep into the country of mud, sand, pyramids, and the Sphinx.
