The Princess and the Jewel Doctor
In St. Petersburg, a beautiful Russian Princess is known for her charm and a significant physical defect: the loss of her left forefinger. Her annual visits to Tunis, where she has spent considerable time since a traumatic accident in 1890, are shrouded in mystery, even to her husband. The Princess harbors a deep-seated fear of blindness, a hereditary condition that afflicted her family. This anxiety leads her to seek solace in travel, prompting her journey to Tunis with her companion, Countess de Rosnikoff. Upon arrival, the Princess is eager to explore the famed bazaars of Tunis but is initially deterred by her companion's fatigue. She ventures out alone, guided by a talkative local named Abdul. As they navigate the bustling market, the Princess's anxiety about her eyesight intensifies, especially when she learns about a local figure known as Safti, the "jewel doctor," who purportedly uses gemstones to heal ailments, including preserving sight. Intrigued and desperate, the Princess seeks out Safti, who lives in a modest home in the Rue Ben-Ziad. Upon meeting him, she learns that he possesses an emerald that can protect against blindness. Despite her wealth, Safti refuses to sell the emerald outright, insisting that those who use his jewels must remain close to him. However, he allows her to wear the emerald temporarily for a fee, which she eagerly pays, feeling an immediate relief from her eye pain. As the days pass, the Princess becomes increasingly obsessed with the emerald, believing it to be her safeguard against her fears. She renews her lease on the jewel, all the while contemplating her return to Russia and the implications of her attachment to the stone. The Princess's companion, meanwhile, grows increasingly ill, attributing her discomfort to the local climate. In a moment of desperation, the Princess concocts a plan to escape with the emerald, convincing her companion to leave Tunis for Russia. Under the cover of night, they board a ship bound for Sicily. As the vessel departs, the Princess feels a mix of exhilaration and guilt for her theft. However, her relief is short-lived when the ship unexpectedly halts to take on cargo, igniting her fear of being discovered. In a dramatic turn, the Princess is attacked on deck, and in the chaos, she inadvertently plunges into the sea. The emerald remains on her finger as she disappears beneath the waves, symbolizing the inescapable consequences of her actions. The story concludes with the emerald back in Safti's possession, highlighting the themes of obsession, the consequences of greed, and the inextricable link between desire and loss.
By Robert Hichens · First published 1910 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Romance · 4,540 words
First lines
In St. Petersburg society there may be met at the present time a certain Russian Princess, who is noted for her beauty, for an ugly defect -- she has lost the forefinger of her left hand -- and for her extraordinary attachment to the city of Tunis, where she has spent at least three months of each year since 1890 -- the year in which she suffered the accident that deprived her of a finger. What that accident was, and why she is so passionately attached to Tunis, nobody in Russia seems to know, not even her doting husband, who bows to all her caprices. But two persons could explain the matter -- a Tunisian guide named Abdul, and a rather mysterious individual who follows a humble calling in the Rue Ben-Ziad, close to the Tunis bazaars. This latter is the Princess's personal attendant during her yearly visit to Tunis. He accompanies her everywhere, may be seen in the hall of her hotel when she is at home, on the box of her carriage when she drives out, close behind her when she is walking. He is her shadow in Africa. Only when she goes back to Russia does he return to his profession in the Rue Ben-Ziad.
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The Princess and the Jewel Doctor is listed on Textopian as a novel by Robert Hichens, dated 1910 CE.
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- Work type: Novel
- Author: Robert Hichens
- Date: 1910 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Romance, Adventure, Magical Realism
- Length: 4,540 words
- Structure: 1 section, 82 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Princess and the Jewel Doctor by Robert Hichens
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The book explores complex themes of identity, fear, and morality through character-driven narratives.
- Psychological Fiction — The protagonist's internal struggles with fear of blindness and her obsession with the emerald reflect deep psychological themes.
- Romance — The story includes elements of romantic relationships, particularly the Princess's attachment to her husband and her emotional journey.
- Adventure — The Princess's travels to Tunis and her exploration of the bazaars introduce adventure elements.
Tags
princess · jewelry · doctor · romance · adventure · fantasy · fairy tale · love · betrayal · wealth · mystery · court