Anna Winterbourne (1872-1933)

The blond-haired, violet-eyed, caring, intelligent, determined, and artistic heroine of the early layer of the novel, Anna is an English woman married to a veteran, tormented by post-traumatic stress. Anna is widowed, mourns appropriately, and travels to Egypt to see the scenes her favorite painters captured on canvas and her beloved father-in-law, Sir Charles. Anna holds Sir Charles in the highest regard, and corresponds with him frequently throughout the novel. Anna is not content with the usual sightseeing tours, and several times ventures incognito into the desert, first to the Pyramids, and next to Mt. Sinai. Disguised as an Englishman, Anna is kidnapped by Egyptian nationalists seeking leverage to free a jailed companion. They take her to the home of the eminent attorney and politician Sharif al-Baroudi, where it is discovered Anna is a woman. Sharif's sister Layla cares for Anna and they become friends. Sharif...