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CHAPTER VII
GLIMPSES OF HOPE
The fall of Kabul into the hands of brigands and bandits and the inauguration of the Reign of Terror was everywhere received with feelings of sorrow and grief, but it told most heavily on one, who was at this time lying on the sick-bed thousands of miles away in a villa in France, pale and emaciated لاغر و ناتوان, and in a very delicate state of health. The doctors considered it essential for him to have perfect rest, and had ordered that no disturbing news should reach him. Yet his burning desire, to know how his motherland was faring, overcame the resistance of his brothers who attended on him and who were persuaded to read out the news to him constantly. For the frail خسته exterior concealed a patriot's heart which was bleeding at the sufferings of the unfortunate Afghans, and every now and then the spirit would feel restless and long to be by the side of the unhappy victims of bloodshed and oppression, but finding the flesh too weak would wait and brood and strengthen its
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