The Fall of Damascus; An Historical Novel - Tapa blanda

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1878. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XLI. ANNA. The dead Christians were stripped, and Khaled set out to return to Damascus. His arrival caused great rejoicing and great sorrow. It added thousands to the already numerous mourners. When Jonas reached home he read above his door: "The House of the Traitor Jonas." His rooms had been dismantled; his books were lying in pieces on the torn carpet; the furniture and windows were broken. His home was as desolate as his heart: it had been fitly altered to receive him. He sat down amid the ruins. Anna's death had seemed the dread muttering of approaching thunder: Budocia's was the loud, crashing descent of the bolt. He was stunned and stupefied; to this condition succeeded a luminous realization of the condition of things; this a vague pain supplanted; then followed a sharper, more cutting pain; finally his heart filled with a cold lasting grief and that terrible despair which is hopeless, not of obtaining an object, but of ever desiring one. While he was gazing about the library, his eyes were arrested at a spot upon the floor: the spot was darkened by his head's shadow, thrown by a misty light from a bladder-covered lantern which (his lamp having disappeared) he had placed upon the table. He seemed to see some apparition, for there was nothing peculiar-looking about that portion of the floor. "Poor Anna! The time to open it came quickly." He removed a square piece of board, and took from beneath a casket. It was of gold, set with curious intaglios and cameos, and fantastically carved. He opened it with difficulty and the contents fell upon the floor--a carefully folded letter, and an iron finger-ring, on which there was a diamond nearly as large as a walnut. He took up the letter, and read: "This comes to you from one who has entered the tomb; ther...