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The Hawk of Egypt

by Joan Conquest (1883–1941)

  • Free to read
  • 5 hours to read
  • 37 chapters
  • Reading level: 7th grade

"The Hawk of Egypt" by Joan Conquest is a novel written in the early 20th century. It is set against the backdrop of Egypt, bringing to life a rich tapestry of cultural and historical elements as it follows the journey of Damaris Hethencourt, a young woman navigating the complexities of love, identity, and adventure in a foreign land. The narrative hints at her interactions with intriguing characters, including the enigmatic Hugh Carden Ali, as well as the allure and dangers of the vibrant Egyptian marketplace. The opening of the story introduces us to Damaris as she explores the bustling bazaar of Cairo, accompanied by her bulldog, Wellington. The vivid descriptions of the sights, sounds, and aromas of the market paint a picture of her surroundings and the cultural dynamics at play. As she navigates the crowd, her attention is drawn to Hugh Carden Ali, whose mixed heritage and poised demeanor intrigue her. The narrative foreshadows a burgeoning romance while touching on themes of social norms and personal struggle, especially as they pertain to Damaris’s quest for adventure amidst the vibrant chaos of the East. The stage is set for dramatic interactions, cultural clashes, and the exploration of identity, making for a compelling beginning that invites readers into a rich world of emotional and societal complexity.

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  • Egypt

Read the opening

Chapter I

"_For in the days we know not of
Did fate begin
Weaving the web of days that wove
Your doom_."

". . . allahu akbar—la ilaha—illa 'llah!"

Across the golden glory of the sky floated the insistent call of the muezzin just as Damaris, followed closely by Wellington, her bulldog, turned out of the narrow street into the Khan el-Khalili. Shrill and sweet, from far and near it came, calling the faithful to prayer, impelling merchants to leave their wares, buyers their purchases, gossips their chatter, and to turn in the direction of Mecca and offer their praise to Allah, who is God.

As the entire male population of the native quarter knelt, the girl drew back beneath an awning of many colours which shaded silken goods from the rays of the sun, whilst curious eyes peeped down upon her from behind the shelter of the masharabeyeh, the harem lattice of finely-carved wood. Yards of silk of every hue lay tumbled inside and outside the dukkan or shop in the silk-market; silken scarves, plain and embroidered, hung from strings; silk shawls were spread upon Persian carpets; a veritable riot of colour against the yellow-white plaster of the shop walls, above which flamed the sky, a cloak of blue, embroidered in rose and gold and amethyst.

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Contents

Show all 37 chapters
  1. Chapter I
  2. Chapter II: "Dog, ounce, bear and bull, Wolf, lion, horse."
  3. Chapter III
  4. Chapter IV
  5. Chapter V: "Oh, yet we trust that somehow good Will be the final goal of ill."
  6. Chapter VI: "A mother is a mother still, The holiest thing alive."
  7. Chapter VII
  8. Chapter VIII
  9. Chapter IX
  10. Chapter X
  11. Chapter XI
  12. Chapter XII
  13. Chapter XIII
  14. Chapter XIV: "Oh! for a falconer's voice to lure This tassel gentle back again."
  15. Chapter XV
  16. Chapter XVI
  17. Chapter XVII
  18. Chapter XVIII: "A handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse."
  19. Chapter Six
  20. Chapter XX: "I was never less alone than when by myself."
  21. Chapter XXI
  22. Chapter XXII
  23. Chapter XXIII
  24. Chapter XXIV
  25. Chapter XXV: "He that has patience may compass anything."
  26. Chapter XXVI
  27. Chapter XXVII
  28. Chapter XXVIII
  29. Chapter XXIX
  30. Chapter XXX
  31. Chapter XXXI
  32. Chapter XXXII
  33. Chapter XXXIII
  34. Chapter XXXIV
  35. Chapter XXXV
  36. Chapter I
  37. Chapter II

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About this edition

This free edition of The Hawk of Egypt by Joan Conquest comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #15721, released 2005-04-27. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Romance, Adventure, Novels.

Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).

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