did so with a sinking feeling in her heart; she was hopelessly in love with Richard. However, he made no professions of his affection. He was already looking forward to the horizon of future adventures. Hence, when they parted they did so as friends, though Isabel yearned for far more. While she was out of sight and out of mind, he embarked on the journey that was to make him one of the most celebrated of Victorians.
Richardâs seven years in India had made him familiar with the customs of Islam, a necessary step for him to attempt a hajj, a pilgrimage to Mecca. For verisimilitude, he dressed, spoke, and acted like a Muslim; in addition, he stained his skin with henna. Even more extreme, he underwent a circumcision to lessen his chance of discovery. This was essential, as the penalty for detection was death. He became the first non-Muslim European to enter the Islamic forbidden city, which he accomplished under the guise of Abdullah of Afghanistan.
His adventures were eagerly devoured by the British public, especially Isabel. She was horrified to read about his misadventure in Somalia, where warriors attacked his contingent. A javelin had impaled Richardâs cheek and exited from the other, leaving a lifelong scar. He made his escape with the weapon still embedded in his face. When the newspapers reported that Burtonâs next venture was in the Crimea, the ever-faithful Isabel tried three times to join Florence Nightingaleâs nurses, but was told she was too young and too inexperienced.
However, in 1855, two months after Burton had arrived in England, he ran into Isabel where she was reading in Londonâs Botanical Gardens. For the next two weeks they met there every day, and finally Richard embraced her and asked if she would give up civilization for him. Isabel did not hesitate in her acceptance. âI would rather have a tent and a crust with you than be queen of all the world. And so I say now: Yes, yes, yes!â They sealed their engagement with a passionate kiss. Later she recalled that she âtrod on air.â However, they decided to keep their romance a secret, as the Royal Geographical Society had engaged him to explore the east of Africa, where he was to lead an expedition which was to result in the discovery of Lake Tanganyika.
Four years later when he returned, the impediment to their marriage was Isabelâs mother. She was a fervent Catholic and didnât want her daughter marrying an atheist who would drag her beloved daughter off to some âheathenâ outpost. Moreover, while Richard had achieved fame he had not gained fortune; his sole assets were his charisma and adventurous life. In addition to these concerns, there was the matter of his well-known fascination with sexuality. If all this were not enough, she did not appreciate his sense of humor. When she had confronted him regarding his intentions toward Isabel he had answered, âStrictly dishonorable, Madam. Englishmen who are restricted to one wife cannot be too careful.â
In 1861, the couple married in a private ceremony without family, attended only by a handful of friends at the Bavarian Catholic Church. Afterward they retired to Richardâs bachelor quarters. Isabel recalled that although they had only a few pounds, âwe were as happy as it is given to any mortals out of heaven to be.â Because of Burtonâs fame, the prime minister hosted a dinner party to honor the newlyweds, and Queen Victoria, contrary to all precedent, allowed the bride of an elopement to be presented at court.
Unfortunately, immediately after their marriage Burton entered the Foreign Service and was stationed in Guinea. As the climate was considered extremely unhealthy for Europeans, Isabel could not accompany him. She wrote of their separation, âI am neither maid nor wife nor widow.â However, they were reunited when Richard was transferred to Brazil.
When Richard received a post in Trieste, then part of
Richardâs seven years in India had made him familiar with the customs of Islam, a necessary step for him to attempt a hajj, a pilgrimage to Mecca. For verisimilitude, he dressed, spoke, and acted like a Muslim; in addition, he stained his skin with henna. Even more extreme, he underwent a circumcision to lessen his chance of discovery. This was essential, as the penalty for detection was death. He became the first non-Muslim European to enter the Islamic forbidden city, which he accomplished under the guise of Abdullah of Afghanistan.
His adventures were eagerly devoured by the British public, especially Isabel. She was horrified to read about his misadventure in Somalia, where warriors attacked his contingent. A javelin had impaled Richardâs cheek and exited from the other, leaving a lifelong scar. He made his escape with the weapon still embedded in his face. When the newspapers reported that Burtonâs next venture was in the Crimea, the ever-faithful Isabel tried three times to join Florence Nightingaleâs nurses, but was told she was too young and too inexperienced.
However, in 1855, two months after Burton had arrived in England, he ran into Isabel where she was reading in Londonâs Botanical Gardens. For the next two weeks they met there every day, and finally Richard embraced her and asked if she would give up civilization for him. Isabel did not hesitate in her acceptance. âI would rather have a tent and a crust with you than be queen of all the world. And so I say now: Yes, yes, yes!â They sealed their engagement with a passionate kiss. Later she recalled that she âtrod on air.â However, they decided to keep their romance a secret, as the Royal Geographical Society had engaged him to explore the east of Africa, where he was to lead an expedition which was to result in the discovery of Lake Tanganyika.
Four years later when he returned, the impediment to their marriage was Isabelâs mother. She was a fervent Catholic and didnât want her daughter marrying an atheist who would drag her beloved daughter off to some âheathenâ outpost. Moreover, while Richard had achieved fame he had not gained fortune; his sole assets were his charisma and adventurous life. In addition to these concerns, there was the matter of his well-known fascination with sexuality. If all this were not enough, she did not appreciate his sense of humor. When she had confronted him regarding his intentions toward Isabel he had answered, âStrictly dishonorable, Madam. Englishmen who are restricted to one wife cannot be too careful.â
In 1861, the couple married in a private ceremony without family, attended only by a handful of friends at the Bavarian Catholic Church. Afterward they retired to Richardâs bachelor quarters. Isabel recalled that although they had only a few pounds, âwe were as happy as it is given to any mortals out of heaven to be.â Because of Burtonâs fame, the prime minister hosted a dinner party to honor the newlyweds, and Queen Victoria, contrary to all precedent, allowed the bride of an elopement to be presented at court.
Unfortunately, immediately after their marriage Burton entered the Foreign Service and was stationed in Guinea. As the climate was considered extremely unhealthy for Europeans, Isabel could not accompany him. She wrote of their separation, âI am neither maid nor wife nor widow.â However, they were reunited when Richard was transferred to Brazil.
When Richard received a post in Trieste, then part of
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