Raisins and almonds - Poisoned Pen Press (UK)

Chapter Eight
I ever conceived that in metalls there were
great secrets provided that they are first
reduced by a proper Dissolvent, but to seek
that Dissolvent or the matter whereof it
is made in Metalls is not only Error but
Madness.
—Thomas Vaughan, Euphrates
Phryne remembered the translation, took a brief look at it, saw
nothing but a few lines of numbers and letters, and put the
papers in her safe deposit as she changed for lunch. Bert and
Cec were not likely to be able to help her with such things and
she dismissed it, for the moment, from her mind. She was more
willing to do so because she really did not want to think about
the Rabbi Elijah.
Who was difficult. Truer word was never spoken, yet she
could not account for the effect he had managed to produce in
her level-headed self. She dressed quickly in a light shift patterned
with wisteria, anxious to rid herself of black. The day was warm
and heading towards hot. She was easing her feet into green
sandals when her room was augmented by two girls in identical
heliotrope smocks, Ember the black cat and one small puppy,