Blessing of the Gods by Barbara Cartland

and age. Among them was a small pistol that the shopkeeper told them proudly was the very latest weapon to come to him from Paris. “It is what the English would call a ‘revolver’,” he said. “We have never had such a piece before and it can fire six times before you have to reload it.” Lord Springdale was obviously interested. When Mellina suggested to him that it would be her present to him, he did not protest unduly. “It is something very new and we can take it back to England to show them how up to date we are,” he said. “It is a delightful gift, Mellina, and thank you very much and it could very easily come in useful, one never knows.” “The French are always so clever at designing new concepts when it comes to weapons,” Mellina told him. “It is surprising that they have lost so many battles despite the fact that they have infiltrated, as they have here, into many countries and taken them over.” “They certainly have done well in this part of the world,” he replied. “I suspect that they have improved the country a great deal from what it was originally.” “We have done the same in India and other places,” Mellina pointed out. “But, of course, we must praise the French when they have earned it.” “From what I have heard they have done a great deal of good here,” he said. “I think that they have their eyes on other parts of Africa further South.” “Well, I have to admit that I am finding Tunis very interesting,” Mellina replied. “I can understand why the Romans found this a very