ThemountainsofMoabwerebeforeus，veryplainintheiroutline。
"Moabismywash-pot，andoverEdomwillIcastoutmyshoe！"Theretheywerebeforeus，veryvisibletotheeye，andwebegannaturallytoaskquestionsofeachother。WhywasMoabthewash-pot，andEdomthuscursedwithindignity？Whyhadtherightbankoftheriverbeenselectedforsuchgreatpurposes，whereastheleftwasthuscondemned？Wasthere，atthattime，anyspecialfertilityinthislandofpromisewhichhassincedepartedfromit？Wearetoldofabunchofgrapeswhichtooktwomentocarryit；butnowthereisnotavineinthewholecountryside。Now-a-daysthesandyplainroundJerichoisasdryandaridasareanyofthevalleysofMoab。TheJordanwasrunningbeneathourfeet，——theJordaninwhichtheleprouskinghadwashed，thoughthebrightriversofhisownDamascusweresomuchnearertohishand。Itwasbutahumblestreamtowhichhewassent；butthespotprobablywashigherup，abovetheSeaofGalilee，wheretheriverisnarrow。Butanotheralsohadcomedowntothisriver，perhapstothisveryspotonitsshores，andsubmittedHimselftoitswaters；——astowhom，perhaps，itwillbebetterthatIshouldnotspeakmuchinthislightstory。
TheDeadSeawasonourright，stillglitteringinthedistance，andbehinduslaytheplainsofJerichoandthewretchedcollectionofhutswhichstillbearsthenameoftheancientcity。Beyondthat，butstillseeminglywithineasydistanceofus，werethemountainsofthewilderness。Thewilderness！Intruth，thespotwasonewhichdidleadtomanythoughts。
Wetalkedofthesethings，astomanyofwhichIfoundthatmyfriendwasmuchmorefreeinhisdoubtsandquestioningsthanmyself；andthenourwordscamebacktoourselves，thenaturalcentreofallmen’s-thoughtsandwords。"Fromwhatyousay，"I
said，"Igatherthatyouhavehadenoughofthisland？"
"Quiteenough，"hesaid。"Whyseeksuchspotsasthese，iftheyonlydispeltheassociationsandvenerationofone’schildhood？"
"Butwithmesuchassociationsandvenerationarerivetedthestrongerbyseeingtheplaces，andputtingmyhanduponthespots。
Idonotspeakofthatfictitiousmarbleslabupthere；buthere，amongthesandhillsbythisriver，andattheMountofOlivesoverwhichwepassed，Idobelieve。"
Hepausedamoment，andthenreplied："Tomeitisallnothing，——
absolutelynothing。Butthendowenotknowthatourthoughtsareformed，andourbeliefsmodelled，notontheoutwardsignsorintrinsicevidencesofthings，——aswouldbethecasewerewealwaysrational，——butbytheinnerworkingsoftheminditself？AtthepresentturnofmylifeIcanbelieveinnothingthatisgracious。"
"Ah，youmeanthatyouareunhappy。Youhavecometogriefinsomeofyourdoingsorbelongings，andthereforefindthatallthingsarebittertothetaste。Ihavehadmypalateoutofordertoo；buttheproperappreciationofflavourshascomebacktome。Bah，——hownoisomewasthatDeadSeawater！"
"TheDeadSeawatersarenoisome，"hesaid；"andIhavebeendrinkingofthembylongdraughts。"
"Longdraughts！"Ianswered，thinkingtoconsolehim。"Draughtshavenotbeenlongwhichcanhavebeenswallowedinyouryears。
Yourdiseasemaybeacute，butitcannotyethavebecomechronic。A
manalwaysthinksatthemomentofeachmisfortunethatthatspecialmiserywilllasthislifetime；butGodistoogoodforthat。Idonotknowwhatailsyou；butthisdaytwelvemonthwillseeyouagainassoundasaroach。"
Wethensatsilentforawhile，duringwhichIwaspuffingatacigar。Smith，amonghisaccomplishments，didnotreckonthatofsmoking，——whichwasagrieftome；foramanenjoysthetobaccodoublywhenanotherisenjoyingitwithhim。
"No，youdonotknowwhatailsme，"hesaidatlast，"and，therefore，cannotjudge。"
"Perhapsnot，mydearfellow。Butmyexperiencetellsmethatearlywoundsaregenerallycapableofcure；and，therefore，Isurmisethatyoursmaybeso。Theheartatyourtimeoflifeisnotwornout，andhasstrengthandsoundnessleftwherewithtothrowoffitsmaladies。Ihopeitmaybesowithyou。"
"Godknows。IdonotmeantosaythattherearenonemoretobepitiedthanIam；butatthepresentmoment，Iamnot——notlight-
hearted。"
"IwishIcouldeaseyourburden，mydearfellow。"
"Itismostpreposterousinmethustoforcemyselfuponyou，andthentroubleyouwithmycares。ButIhadbeenalonesolong，andI
wassowearyofit！"
"ByJove，andsohadI。Makenoapology。Andletmetellyouthis，——thoughperhapsyouwillnotcreditme，——thatIwouldsoonerlaughwithacomradethancrywithhimistrueenough；but，ifoccasiondemands，Icandothelatteralso。"
Hethenputouthishandtome，andIpresseditintokenofmyfriendship。Myownhandwashotandroughwiththeheatandsand；
buthiswassoftandcoolalmostasawoman’s。Ithoroughlyhateaneffeminateman；but，inspiteofacertainwomanlysoftnessaboutthisfellow，Icouldnothatehim。"Yes，"Icontinued，"thoughsomewhatunusedtothemeltingmood，Ialsosometimesgiveforthmymedicinalgums。Idon’twanttoaskyouanyquestions，and，asarule，Ihatetobetoldsecrets，butifIcanbeofanyservicetoyouinanymatterIwilldomybest。Idon’tsaythiswithreferencetothepresentmoment，butthinkofitbeforewepart。"
Ilookedroundathimandsawthathewasintears。"IknowthatyouwillthinkthatIamaweakfool，"hesaid，pressinghishandkerchieftohiseyes。
"Bynomeans。Therearemomentsinaman’slifewhenitbecomeshimtoweeplikeawoman；buttheolderhegrowsthemoreseldomthosemomentscometohim。AsfarasIcanseeofmen，theynevercryatthatwhichdisgracesthem。"
"Itisleftforwomentodothat，"heanswered。
"Oh，women！Awomancriesforeverythingandfornothing。Itisthesharpestarrowshehasinherquiver，——thebestcardinherhand。Whenawomancries，whatcanyoudobutgiveherallsheasksfor？"
"Doyou——dislikewomen？"
"No，byJove！Iamneverreallyhappyunlessoneisnearme，ormorethanone。Aman，asarule，hasanamountofenergywithinhimwhichhecannotturntoprofitonhimselfalone。Itisgoodforhimtohaveawomanbyhimthathemayworkforher，andthushaveexerciseforhislimbsandfaculties。Iamveryfondofwomen。ButIalwayslikethosebestwhoaremosthelpless。"
Weweresilentagainforawhile，anditwasduringthistimethatI
foundmyselflyingwithmyheadinhislap。Ihadslept，butitcouldhavebeenbutforafewminutes，andwhenIwokeIfoundhishanduponmybrow。AsIstarteduphesaidthattheflieshadbeenannoyingme，andthathehadnotchosentowakenmeasIseemedweary。"Ithasbeenthatdoublebathing，"Isaid，apologetically；
forIalwaysfeelashamedwhenIamdetectedsleepingintheday。
"Inhotweatherthewaterdoesmakeonedrowsy。ByJove，it’sgettingdark；wehadbetterhavethehorses。"
"Stayhalfamoment，"hesaid，speakingverysoftly，andlayinghishanduponmyarm，"Iwillnotdetainyouaminute。"
"Thereisnohurryinlife，"Isaid。
"Youpromisedmejustnowyouwouldassistme。"
"Ifitbeinmypower，Iwill。"
"BeforewepartatAlexandriaIwillendeavourtotellyouthestoryofmytroubles，andthenifyoucanaidme——"ItstruckmeashepausedthatIhadmadearashpromise，butneverthelessImuststandbyitnow——withoneortwoprovisoes。Thechanceswerethattheyoungmanwasshortofmoney，orelsethathehadgotintoascrapeaboutagirl。IneithereaseImightgivehimsomeslightassistance；but，then，itbehovedmetomakehimunderstandthatI
wouldnotconsenttobecomeaparticipatorinmischief。Iwastoooldtogetmyheadwillinglyintoascrape，andthisImustendeavourtomakehimunderstand。
"Iwill，ifitbeinmypower，"Isaid。"Iwillasknoquestionsnow；butifyourtroublebeaboutsomelady——"
"Itisnot，"saidhe。
"Well；sobeit。Ofalltroublesthosearethemosttroublesome。
Ifyouareshortofcash——"
"No，Iamnotshortofcash。"
"Youarenot。That’swelltoo；forwantofmoneyisasoretroublealso。"AndthenIpausedbeforeIcametothepoint。"Idonotsuspectanythingbadofyou，Smith。HadIdoneso，IshouldnothavespokenasIhavedone。Andiftherebenothingbad——"
"Thereisnothingdisgraceful，"hesaid。
"ThatisjustwhatImean；andinthatcaseIwilldoanythingforyouthatmaybewithinmypower。NowletuslookforJosephandthemucherry-boy，foritistimethatwewereatJericho。"
IcannotdescribeatlengththewholeofourjourneyfromthencetoourtentsatJericho，norbacktoJerusalem，norevenfromJerusalemtoJaffa。AtJerichowedidsleepintents，payingsomuchpernight，accordingtothetariff。Wewanderedoutatnight，anddrankcoffeewithafamilyofArabsinthedesert，sittinginaringroundtheircoffee-kettle。AndwesawaTurkishsoldierpunishedwiththebastinado，——asightwhichdidnotdomeanygood，andwhichmadeSmithverysick。Indeedafterthefirstblowhewalkedaway。
Jerichoisaremarkablespotinthatpilgrimweek，andIwishIhadspacetodescribeit。ButIhavenot，forImusthurryon，backtoJerusalemandthencetoJaffa。IhadmuchtotellalsoofthoseBedouins；howtheywereessentiallytruetous，butteasedusalmosttofrenzybytheircontinualbegging。Theybeggedforourfoodandourdrink，forourcigarsandourgunpowder，fortheclothesoffourbacks，andthehandkerchiefsoutofourpockets。AstogunpowderI
hadnonetogivethem，formychargeswereallmadeupincartridges；andIlearnedthatthegunsbehindtheirbackswereamerepretence，fortheyhadnotagrainofpowderamongthem。
WesleptonenightinJerusalem，andstartedearlyonthefollowingmorning。Smithcametomyhotelsothatwemightbereadytogetherforthemove。WestillcarriedwithusJosephandthemucherry-boy；
butforourBedouins，whohaddulyreceivedtheirfortyshillingsapiece，wehadnofurtheruse。OnourroaddowntoJerusalemwehadmuchchattogether，butonlyoneadventure。Thosepilgrims，ofwhomIhavespoken，journeytoJerusaleminthegreatestnumberbytheroutewhichwewerenowtakingfromit，andtheycomeinlongdroves，reachingJaffaincrowdsbytheFrenchandAustriansteamersfromSmyrna，Damascus，andConstantinople。Astheirnumberconferssecurityinthatsomewhatinsecurecountry，manytravellersfromthewestofEuropemakearrangementstotravelwiththem。Onourwaydownwemetthelastofthesecaravansfortheyear，andwewerepassingitformorethantwohours。OnthisoccasionIrodefirst，andSmithwasimmediatelybehindme；butofasuddenIobservedhimtowheelhishorseround，andtoclamberdownwardsamongbushesandstonestowardsariverthatranbelowus。"Hallo，Smith，"Icried，"youwilldestroyyourhorse，andyourselftoo。"Buthewouldnotanswerme，andallIcoulddowastodrawupinthepathandwait。
Myconfusionwasmadetheworse，asatthatmomentalongstringofpilgrimswaspassingby。"Goodmorning，sir，"saidanoldmantomeingoodEnglish。IlookedupasIansweredhim，andsawagrey-
hairedgentleman，ofverysolemnandsadaspect。Hemightbeseventyyearsofage，andIcouldseethathewasattendedbythreeorfourservants。Ishallneverforgetthesevereandsorrowfulexpressionofhiseyes，overwhichhisheavyeyebrowshunglow。
"AretheremanyEnglishinJerusalem？"heasked。"Agoodmany，"I
replied；"therealwaysareatEaster。""Canyoutellmeanythingofanyofthem？"heasked。"Notaword，"saidI，forIknewnoone；
"butourconsulcan。"Andthenwebowedtoeachotherandhepassedon。
IgotoffmyhorseandscrambleddownonfootafterSmith。Ifoundhimgatheringberriesandbushesasthoughhisverysoulweremadwithbotany；butasIhadseennothingofthisinhimbefore，I
askedwhatstrangefreakhadtakenhim。
"Youweretalkingtothatoldman，"hesaid。
"Well，yes，Iwas。"
"ThatistherelationofwhomIhavespokentoyou。"
"Thed-heis！"
"AndIwouldavoidhim，ifitbepossible。"
Ithenlearnedthattheoldgentlemanwashisuncle。Hehadnolivingfatherormother，andhenowsupposedthathisrelativewasgoingtoJerusaleminquestofhim。"Ifso，"saidI，"youwillundoubtedlygivehimlegbail，unlesstheAustrianboatismorethanordinarilylate。Itisasmuchasweshalldotocatchit，andyoumaybehalfoverAfrica，orfargoneonyourwaytoIndia，beforehecanbeonyourtrackagain。"
"IwilltellyouallaboutitatAlexandria，"hereplied；andthenhescrambledupagainwithhishorse，andwewenton。ThatnightwesleptattheArmenianconventatRamlath，orRamath。ThisplaceissupposedtostandonthesiteofArimathea，andismarkedassuchinmanyofthemaps。Themonksatthistimeoftheyearareverybusy，asthepilgrimsallstayhereforonenightontheirroutesbackwardsandforwards，andtheplaceonsuchoccasionsisterriblycrowded。Onthenightofourvisititwasnearlyempty，asacaravanhadleftitthatmorning；andthuswewereindulgedwithseparatecells，apointonwhichmycompanionseemedtolayconsiderablestress。
Onthefollowingday，ataboutnoon，weenteredJaffa，andputupataninntherewhichiskeptbyaPole。TheboatfromBeyrout，whichtouchesatJaffaonitswaytoAlexandria，wasnotyetin，norevensighted；wewerethereforeamplyintime。"Shallwesailto-night？"
Iaskedoftheagent。"Yes，inallprobability，"hereplied。"Ifthesignalbeseenbeforethreeweshalldoso。Ifnot，thennot；"
andsoIreturnedtothehotel。
Smithhadinvoluntarilyshownsignsoffatigueduringthejourney，butyethehadborneupwellagainstit。Ihadneverfeltcalledontograntanyextraindulgenceastotimebecausetheworkwastoomuchforhim。Butnowhewasagooddealknockedup，andIwasalittlefrightenedfearingthatIhadover-drivenhimundertheheatofthesun。Iwasalarmedlestheshouldhavefever，andproposedtosendfortheJaffadoctor。Butthisheutterlyrefused。Hewouldshuthimselfforanhourortwoinhisroom，hesaid，andbythattimehetrustedtheboatwouldbeinsight。Itwascleartomethathewasveryanxiousonthesubject，fearingthathisunclewouldbebackuponhisheelsbeforehehadstarted。
Iorderedaseriousbreakfastformyself，forwithme，onsuchoccasions，myappetitedemandsmoreimmediateattentionthanmylimbs。IalsoacknowledgethatIbecomefatigued，andcanlaymyselfatlengthduringsuchidledaysandsleepfromhourtohour；
butthedesiretodosonevercomestillIhavewelleatenanddrunken。AbottleofFrenchwine，threeorfourcutletsofgoats’
flesh，anomeletmadeoutofthefreshesteggs，andanenormousdishoforanges，wasthebanquetsetbeforeme；andthoughImighthavefoundfaultwithitinParisorLondon，IthoughtthatitdidwellenoughinJaffa。Mypoorfriendcouldnotjoinme，buthadacupofcoffeeinhisroom。"Atanyratetakealittlebrandyinit，"I
saidtohim，asIstoodoverhisbed。"Icouldnotswallowit，"
saidhe，lookingatmewithalmostbeseechingeyes。"Beshrewthefellow，"IsaidtomyselfasIlefthim，carefullyclosingthedoor，sothatthesoundshouldnotshakehim；"heislittlebetterthanawoman，andyetIhavebecomeasfondofhimasthoughheweremybrother。"
Iwentoutatthree，butuptothattimetheboathadnotbeensignalled。"Andweshallnotgetoutto-night？""No，notto-
night，"saidtheagent。"Andwhattimeto-morrow？""Ifshecomesinthisevening，youwillstartbydaylight。ButtheysomanageherdeparturefromBeyrout，thatsheseldomishereintheevening。"
"Itwillbenoonto-morrowthen？""Yes，"themansaid，"noonto-
morrow。"Icalculated，however，thattheoldgentlemancouldnotpossiblybeonourtrackbythattime。HewouldnothavereachedJerusalemtilllateinthedayonwhichwesawhim，anditwouldtakehimsometimetoobtaintidingsofhisnephew。ButitmightbepossiblethatmessengerssentbyhimshouldreachJaffabyfourorfiveonthedayafterhisarrival。ThatwouldbethisverydaywhichwewerenowwastingatJaffa。Havingthusmademycalculations，IreturnedtoSmithtogivehimsuchconsolationasitmightbeinmypowertoafford。
Heseemedtobedreadfullyafflictedbyallthis。"HewillhavetracedmetoJerusalem，andthenagainaway；andwillfollowmeimmediately。"
"Thatisallverywell，"Isaid；"butletevenayoungmandothebesthecan，andhewillnotgetfromJerusalemtoJaffainlessthantwelvehours。Youruncleisnotayoungman，andcouldnotpossiblydothejourneyundertwodays。"
"Buthewillsend。Hewillnotmindwhatmoneyhespends。"
"Andifhedoessend，takeoffyourhattohismessengers，andbidthemcarryyourcomplaintsback。Youarenotafelonwhomhecanarrest。"
"No，hecannotarrestme；but，ah！youdonotunderstand；"andthenhesatuponthebed，andseemedasthoughheweregoingtowringhishandsindespair。
Iwaitedforsomehalfhourinhisroom，thinkingthathewouldtellmethisstoryofhis。IfherequiredthatIshouldgivehimmyaidinthepresenceeitherofhisuncleorofhisuncle’smyrmidons，I
mustatanyrateknowwhatwaslikelytobethedisputebetweenthem。ButashesaidnothingIsuggestedthatheshouldstrolloutwithmeamongtheorange-grovesbywhichthetownissurrounded。Inanswertothishelookeduppiteouslyintomyfaceasthoughbeggingmetobemercifultohim。"Youarestrong，"saidhe，"andcannotunderstandwhatitistofeelfatigueasIdo。"Andyethehaddeclaredoncommencinghisjourneythathewouldnotbefoundtocomplain？Norhadhecomplainedbyasinglewordtillafterthatencounterwithhisuncle。Nay，hehadborneupwelltillthisnewshadreachedusoftheboatbeinglate。Ifeltconvincedthatiftheboatwereatthismomentlyingintheharbourallthatappearanceofexcessiveweaknesswouldsoonvanish。WhatitwasthathefearedI
couldnotguess；butitwasmanifesttomethatsomegreatterroralmostoverwhelmedhim。
"Myideais，"saidI，andIsupposethatIspokewithsomethinglessofgood-natureinmytonethanIhadassumedforthelastdayortwo，"thatnomanshould，underanycircumstances，besoafraidofanotherman，astotrembleathispresence，——eitherathispresenceorhisexpectedpresence。"
"Ah，nowyouareangrywithme；nowyoudespiseme！"
"Neithertheonenortheother。ButifImaytakethelibertyofafriendwithyou，Ishouldadviseyoutocombatthisfeelingofhorror。Ifyoudonot，itwillunmanyou。Afterall，whatcanyouruncledotoyou？Hecannotrobyouofyourheartandsoul。Hecannottouchyourinnerself。"
"Youdonotknow，"hesaid。
"Ahbut，Smith，Idoknowthat。Whatevermaybethisquarrelbetweenyouandhim，youshouldnottrembleatthethoughtofhim；
unlessindeed——"
"Unlesswhat？"
"Unlessyouhaddoneaughtthatshouldmakeyoutremblebeforeeveryhonestman。"IownIhadbeguntohavemydoubtsofhim，andtofearthathehadabsolutelydisgracedhimself。EveninsuchcaseI，——Iindividually，——didnotwishtobesevereonhim；butIshouldbeannoyedtofindthatIhadopenedmyhearttoaswindlerorapractisedknave。
"Iwilltellyouallto-morrow，"saidhe；"butIhavebeenguiltyofnothingofthatsort。"
Intheeveninghedidcomeout，andsatwithmeasIsmokedmycigar。Theboat，hewastold，wouldalmostundoubtedlycomeinbydaybreakonthefollowingmorning，andbeoffatnine；whereasitwasveryimprobablethatanyarrivalfromJerusalemwouldbesoearlyasthat。"Beside，"Iremindedhim，"yourunclewillhardlyhurrydowntoJaffa，becausehewillhavenoreasontothinkbutwhatyouhavealreadystarted。Therearenotelegraphshere，youknow。"
Intheeveninghewasstillverysad，thoughtheparoxysmofhisterrorseemedtohavepassedaway。Iwouldnotbotherhim，ashehadhimselfchosenthefollowingmorningforthetellingofhisstory。SoIsatandsmoked，andtalkedtohimaboutourpastjourney，andbydegreesthepowerofspeechcamebacktohim，andI
againfeltthatIlovedhim！Yes，lovedhim！Ihavenottakenmanysuchfanciesintomyhead，atsoshortanotice；butIdidlovehim，asthoughhewereayoungerbrother。Ifeltadelightinservinghim，andthoughIwasalmostoldenoughtobehisfather，I
ministeredtohimasthoughhehadbeenanoldman，orawoman。
Onthefollowingmorningwewerestirringatdaybreak，andfoundthatthevesselwasinsight。Shewouldbeintheroadsoffthetownintwohours’time，theysaid，andwouldstartatelevenortwelve。Andthenwewalkedroundbythegateofthetown，andsaunteredaquarterofamileorsoalongthewaythatleadstowardsJerusalem。Icouldseethathiseyewasanxiouslyturneddowntheroad，buthesaidnothing。Wesawnocloudofdust，andthenwereturnedtobreakfast。
"Thesteamerhascometoanchor，"saidourdirtyPolishhosttousinexecrableEnglish。"Andwemaybeoffonboard，"saidSmith。
"Notyet，"hesaid；"theymustputtheircargooutfirst。"Isaw，however，thatSmithwasuneasy，andImadeupmymindtogoofftothevesselatonce。WhentheyshouldseeanEnglishportmanteaumakinganoffertocomeupthegangway，theAustriansailorswouldnotstopit。SoIcalledforthebill，andorderedthatthethingsshouldbetakendowntothewretchedbrokenheapofrottentimberwhichtheycalledaquay。Smithhadnottoldmehisstory，butnodoubthewouldassoonashewasonboard。
IwasintheactofsquabblingwiththePoleoverthelastdemandforpiastres，whenweheardanoiseinthegatewayoftheinn，andI
sawSmith’scountenancebecomepale。ItwasanEnglishman’svoiceaskingiftherewereanystrangersthere；soIwentintothecourtyard，closingthedoorbehindme，andturningthekeyuponthelandlordandSmith。"Smith，"saidItomyself，"willkeepthePolequietifhehaveanywitleft。"
ThemanwhohadaskedthequestionhadtheairofanupperEnglishservant，andIthoughtthatIrecognisedoneofthosewhomIhadseenwiththeoldgentlemanontheroad；butthematterwassoonputatrestbytheappearanceofthatgentlemanhimself。Hewalkedupintothecourtyard，lookedhardatmefromunderthosebushyeyebrows，justraisedhishat，andthen——said，"IbelieveIamspeakingtoMr。Jones。"
"Yes，"saidI，"IamMr。Jones。CanIhavethehonourofservingyou？"
Therewassomethingpeculiarlyunpleasantaboutthisman’sface。AtthepresentmomentIexamineditclosely，andcouldunderstandthegreataversionwhichhisnephewfelttowardshim。Helookedlikeagentlemanandlikeamanoftalent，norwasthereanythingofmeannessinhisface；neitherwasheill-looking，intheusualacceptationoftheword；butonecouldseethathewassolemn，austere，andoverbearing；thathewouldbeincapableofanylightenjoyment，andunforgivingtowardsalloffences。Itookhimtobeamanwho，beingoldhimself，couldneverrememberthathehadbeenyoung，andwho，therefore，hatedthelevitiesofyouth。Tomesuchacharacterisspeciallyodious；forIwouldfain，ifitbepossible，beyoungeventomygrave。Smith，ifhewereclever，mightescapefromthewindowoftheroom，whichopenedoutuponaterrace，andstillgetdowntothesteamer。Iwouldkeeptheoldmaninplayforsometime；and，eventhoughIlostmypassage，wouldbetruetomyfriend。Therelayourjointluggageatmyfeetintheyard。IfSmithwouldventureawaywithouthisportionofit，allmightyetberight。
"Myname，sir，isSirWilliamWeston，"hebegan。Ihadheardofthenamebefore，andknewhimtobeamanofwealth，andfamily，andnote。Itookoffmyhat，andsaidthatIhadmuchhonourinmeetingSirWilliamWeston。
"AndIpresumeyouknowtheobjectwithwhichIamnowhere，"hecontinued。
"Notexactly，"saidI。"NordoIunderstandhowIpossiblyshouldknowit，seeingthat，uptothismoment，Ididnotevenknowyourname，andhaveheardnothingconcerningeitheryourmovementsoryouraffairs。"
"Sir，"saidhe，"IhavehithertobelievedthatImightatanyrateexpectfromyouthetruth。"
"Sir，"saidI，"Iamboldtothinkthatyouwillnotdaretotellme，eithernow，oratanyothertime，thatyouhavereceived，orexpecttoreceive，frommeanythingthatisnottrue。"
Hethenstoodstill，lookingatmeforamomentortwo，andIbegtoassertthatIlookedasfullyathim。Therewas，atanyrate，nocausewhyIshouldtremblebeforehim。Iwasnothisnephew，norwasIresponsibleforhisnephew’sdoingstowardshim。Twoofhisservantswerebehindhim，andonmysidetherestoodaboyandgirlbelongingtotheinn。They，however，couldnotunderstandawordofEnglish。Isawthathewashesitating，butatlasthespokeout。I
confess，now，thathiswords，whentheywerespoken，did，atthefirstmoment，makemetremble。
"Ihavetochargeyou，"saidhe，"withelopingwithmyniece，andI
demandofyoutoinformmewheresheis。YouareperfectlyawarethatIamherguardianbylaw。"
Ididtremble；——notthatIcaredmuchforSirWilliam’sguardianship，butIsawbeforemesoterribleanembarrassment！AndthenIfeltsothoroughlyabashedinthatIhadallowedmyselftobesodeceived！Itallcamebackuponmeinamoment，andcoveredmewithashamethatevenmademeblush。Ihadtravelledthroughthedesertwithawomanfordays，andhadnotdiscoveredher，thoughshehadgivenmeathousandsigns。AllthosesignsIrememberednow，andIblushedpainfully。WhenherhandwasonmyforeheadIstillthoughtthatshewasaman！IdeclarethatatthismomentIfeltastrongerdisinclinationtofacemylatecompanionthanIdidtoencounterherangryuncle。
"Yourniece！"Isaid，speakingwithasheepishbewildermentwhichshouldhaveconvincedhimatonceofmyinnocence。Shehadaskedme，too，whetherIwasamarriedman，andIhaddeniedit。HowwasItoescapefromsuchamessofmisfortunes？IdeclarethatIbegantoforgethertroublesinmyown。
"Yes，myniece，——MissJuliaWeston。Thedisgracewhichyouhavebroughtuponmemustbewipedout；butmyfirstdutyistosavethatunfortunateyoungwomanfromfurthermisery。"
"Ifitbeasyousay，"Iexclaimed，"bythehonourofagentleman——"
"IcarenothingforthehonourofagentlemantillIseeitproved。
Begoodenoughtoinformme，sir，whetherMissWestonisinthishouse。"
ForamomentIhesitated；butIsawatoncethatIshouldmakemyselfresponsibleforcertainmischief，ofwhichIwasatanyratehithertointruthinnocent，ifIallowedmyselftobecomeapartytoconcealingayounglady。UptothisperiodIcouldatanyratedefendmyself，whethermydefencewerebelievedornotbelieved。I
stillhadahopethatthecharmingJuliamighthaveescapedthroughthewindow，andafeelingthatifshehaddonesoIwasnotresponsible。WhenIturnedthelockIturneditonSmith。
ForamomentIhesitated，andthenwalkedslowlyacrosstheyardandopenedthedoor。"SirWilliam，"Isaid，asIdidso，"Itravelledherewithacompaniondressedasaman；andIbelievedhimtobewhatheseemedtillthisminute。"
"Sir！"saidSirWilliam，withalookofscorninhisfacewhichgavemethelieinmyteethasplainlyasanywordscoulddo。Andthenheenteredtheroom。ThePolewasstandinginonecorner，apparentlyamazedatwhatwasgoingon，andSmith，——ImayaswellcallherMissWestonatonce，forthebaronet’sstatementwastrue，——
wassittingonasortofdivaninthecornerofthechamberhidingherfaceinherhands。Shehadmadenoattemptatanescape，andafullexplanationwasthereforeindispensable。FormyselfIownthatIfeltashamedofmypartintheplay，——ashamedevenofmyowninnocency。HadIbeenlessinnocentIshouldcertainlyhavecontrivedtoappearmuchlessguilty。HaditoccurredtomeonthebanksoftheJordanthatSmithwasalady，Ishouldnothavetravelledwithherinhergentleman’shabilimentsfromJerusalemtoJaffa。Hadsheconsentedtoremainundermyprotection，shemusthavedonesowithoutamasquerade。
Theunclestoodstillandlookedathisniece。Heprobablyunderstoodhowthoroughlysternanddisagreeablewashisownface，andconsideredthathecouldpunishthecrimeofhisrelativeinnosevererwaythanbylookingather。InthisIthinkhewasright。
Butatlasttherewasanecessityforspeaking。"Unfortunateyoungwoman！"hesaid，andthenpaused。
"Wehadbettergetridofthelandlord，"Isaid，"beforewecometoanyexplanation。"AndImotionedtothemantoleavetheroom。
Thishedidveryunwillingly，butatlasthewasgone。
"Ifearthatitisneedlesstocareonheraccountwhomayhearthestoryofhershame，"saidSirWilliam。IlookedatMissWeston，butshestillsathidingherface。However，ifshedidnotdefendherself，itwasnecessarythatIshoulddefendbothherandme。
"IdonotknowhowfarImaybeatlibertytospeakwithreferencetotheprivatemattersofyourselforofyour——yourniece，SirWilliamWeston。Iwouldnotwillinglyinterfere——"
"Sir，"saidhe，"yourinterferencehasalreadytakenplace。Willyouhavethegoodnesstoexplaintomewhatareyourintentionswithregardtothatlady？"
Myintentions！Heavenhelpme！Myintentions，ofcourse，weretoleaveherinheruncle’shands。Indeed，IcouldhardlybesaidtohaveformedanyintentionsinceIhadlearnedthatIhadbeenhonouredbyalady’spresence。AtthismomentIdeeplyregrettedthatIhadthoughtlesslystatedtoherthatIwasanunmarriedman。
IndoingsoIhadhadnoobject。Butatthattime"Smith"hadbeenquiteastrangertome，andIhadnotthoughtitnecessarytodeclaremyownprivateconcerns。SincethatIhadtalkedsolittleofmyselfthatthefactofmyfamilyathomehadnotbeenmentioned。
"Willyouhavethegoodnesstoexplainwhatareyourintentionswithregardtothatlady？"saidthebaronet。
"Oh，UncleWilliam！"exclaimedMissWeston，nowatlengthraisingherheadfromherhands。
"Holdyourpeace，madam，"saidhe。"Whencalledupontospeak，youwillfindyourwordswithdifficultyenough。Sir，Iamwaitingforananswerfromyou。"
"But，uncle，heisnothingtome；——thegentlemanisnothingtome！"
"Bytheheavensaboveus，heshallbesomething，orIwillknowthereasonwhy！What！hehasgoneoffwithyou；hehastravelledthroughthecountrywithyou，hidingyoufromyouronlynaturalfriend；hehasbeenyourcompanionforweeks——"
"Sixdays，sir，"saidI。
"Sir！"saidthebaronet，againgivingmethelie。"Andnow，"hecontinued，addressinghisniece，"youtellmethatheisnothingtoyou。HeshallgivemehispromisethathewillmakeyouhiswifeattheconsulateatAlexandria，orIwilldestroyhim。Iknowwhoheis。"
"IfyouknowwhoIam，"saidI，"youmustknow——"
Buthewouldnotlistentome。"Andasforyou，madam，unlesshemakesmethatpromise——"Andthenhepausedinhisthreat，and，turninground，lookedmeintheface。Isawthatshealsowaslookingatme，thoughnotopenlyashedid；andsomeflatteringdevilthatwasatworkroundmyheart，wouldhavepersuadedthatshealsowouldhaveheardacertainanswergivenwithoutdismay，——wouldevenhavereceivedcomfortinheragonyfromsuchananswer。Butthereaderknowshowcompletelythatanswerwasoutofmypower。
"Ihavenottheslightestgroundforsupposing，"saidI，"thattheladywouldaccedetosuchanarrangement，——ifitwerepossible。Myacquaintancewithherhasbeenaltogetherconfinedto——。Totellthetruth，IhavenotbeeninMissWeston’sconfidence，andhaveonlytakenherforthatwhichshehasseemedtobe。"
"Sir！"saidthebaronet，againlookingatmeasthoughhewouldwithermeonthespotformyfalsehood。
"Itistrue！"saidJulia，gettingupfromherseat，andappealingwithclaspedhandstoheruncle——"astrueasHeaven。"
"Madam！"saidhe，"doyoubothtakemeforafool？"
"Thatyoushouldtakemeforone，"saidI，"wouldbeverynatural。
Thefactsareaswestatetoyou。MissWeston，——asInowlearnthatsheis，——didmethehonourofcallingatmyhotel，havingheard——"
AndthenitseemedtomeasthoughIwereattemptingtoscreenmyselfbytellingthestoryagainsther，soIwasagainsilent。
NeverinmylifehadIbeeninapositionofsuchextraordinarydifficulty。ThedutywhichIowedtoJuliaasawoman，andtoSirWilliamasaguardian，andtomyselfasthefatherofafamily，allclashedwitheachother。Iwasanxioustobegenerous，honest，andprudent，butitwasimpossible；soImadeupmymindtosaynothingfurther。
"Mr。Jones，"saidthebaronet，"IhaveexplainedtoyoutheonlyarrangementwhichunderthepresentcircumstancesIcanpermittopasswithoutopenexposureandcondignpunishment。Thatyouareagentlemanbybirth，education，andpositionIamaware，"——whereuponIraisedmyhat，andthenhecontinued："Thatladyhasthreehundredayearofherown——"
"Andattractions，personalandmental，whichareworthtentimesthemoney，"saidI，andIbowedtomyfairfriend，wholookedatmethewhilewithsadbeseechingeyes。Iconfessthatthemistressofmybosom，hadsheknownmythoughtsatthatonemoment，mighthavehadcauseforanger。
"Verywell，"continuedhe。"ThentheproposalwhichIname，cannot，Iimagine，butbesatisfactory。Ifyouwillmaketoherandtometheonlyamendswhichitisinyourpowerasagentlemantoafford，Iwillforgiveall。TellmethatyouwillmakeheryourwifeonyourarrivalinEgypt。"
IwouldhavegivenanythingnottohavelookedatMissWestonatthismoment，butIcouldnothelpit。IdidturnmyfacehalfroundtoherbeforeIanswered，andthenfeltthatIhadbeencruelindoingso。"SirWilliam，"saidI，"Ihaveathomealreadyawifeandfamilyofmyown。"
"Itisnottrue！"saidhe，retreatingastep，andstaringatmewithamazement。
"Thereissomething，sir，"Ireplied，"intheunprecedentedcircumstancesofthismeeting，andinyourpositionwithregardtothatlady，which，joinedtoyouradvancedage，willenablemetoregardthatuselessinsultasunspoken。Iamamarriedman。Thereisthesignatureofmywife’slastletter，"andIhandedhimonewhichIhadreceivedasIwasleavingJerusalem。
ButthecoarseviolentcontradictionwhichSirWilliamhadgivenmewasnothingcomparedwiththereproachconveyedinMissWeston’scountenance。Shelookedatmeasthoughallherangerwerenowturnedagainstme。Andyet，methought，therewasmoreofsorrowthanofresentmentinhercountenance。Butwhatcausewasthereforeither？WhyshouldIbereproached，evenbyherlook？ShedidnotrememberatthemomentthatwhenIansweredherchancequestionastomydomesticaffairs，Ihadanswereditastoamanwhowasastrangertome，andnotastoabeautifulwoman，withwhomIwasabouttopasscertaindaysincloseandintimatesociety。Toher，atthemoment，itseemedasthoughIhadcruellydeceivedher。Intruth，theonepersonreallydeceivedhadbeenmyself。
AndhereImustexplain，onbehalfofthelady，thatwhenshefirstjoinedmeshehadnootherviewthanthatofseeingthebanksoftheJordaninthatguisewhichshehadchosentoassume，inordertoescapefromthesolemnityandausterityofadisagreeablerelative。
Shehadbeenveryfoolish，andthatwasall。ItakeitthatshehadfirstleftheruncleatConstantinople，butonthispointInevergotcertaininformation。Afterwards，whileweweretravellingtogether，theideahadcomeuponher，thatshemightgoonasfarasAlexandriawithme。AndthenIknownothingfurtherofthelady’sintentions，butIamcertainthatherwishesweregoodandpure。
Herunclehadbeenintolerabletoher，andshehadfledfromhim。
Suchhadbeenheroffence，andnomore。
"Then，sir，"saidthebaronet，givingmebackmyletter，"youmustbeadouble-dyedvillain。"
"Andyou，sir，"saidI。ButhereJuliaWestoninterruptedme。
"Uncle，youaltogetherwrongthisgentleman，"shesaid。"Hehasbeenkindtomebeyondmypowerofwordstoexpress；but，tilltoldbyyou，heknewnothingofmysecret。Norwouldhehaveknownit，"
sheadded，lookingdownupontheground。Astothatlatterassertion，IwasatlibertytobelieveasmuchasIpleased。
ThePolenowcametothedoor，informingusthatanywhowishedtostartbythepacketmustgoonboard，andtherefore，astheunreasonableoldgentlemanperceived，itwasnecessarythatweshouldallmakeourarrangements。Icannotsaythattheyweresuchasenablemetolookbackonthemwithsatisfaction。HedidseemnowatlasttobelievethatIhadbeenanunconsciousagentinhisniece’sstratagem，buthehardlyonthataccountbecameciviltome。
"Itwasabsolutelynecessary，"hesaid，"thatheandthatunfortunateyoungwoman，"ashewouldcallher，"shoulddepartatonce，——bythisshipnowgoing。"TothispropositionofcourseI
madenoopposition。"Andyou，Mr。Jones，"hecontinued，"willatonceperceivethatyou，asagentleman，shouldallowustoproceedonourjourneywithoutthehonourofyourcompany。"
Thiswasverydreadful，butwhatcouldIsay；or，indeed，whatcouldIdo？MymostearnestdesireinthematterwastosaveMissWestonfromannoyance；andunderexistingcircumstancesmypresenceonboardcouldnotbutbeaburdentoher。Andthen，ifIwent，——ifI
didgo，inoppositiontothewishesofthebaronet，couldItrustmyownprudence？ItwasbetterforallpartiesthatIshouldremain。
"SirWilliam，"saidI，afteraminute’sconsideration，"ifyouwillapologisetomeforthegrossinsultsyouhaveofferedme，itshallbeasyousay。"
"Mr。Jones，"saidSirWilliam，"IdoapologiseforthewordswhichI
usedtoyouwhileIwaslabouringunderaverynaturalmisconceptionofthecircumstances。"IdonotknowthatIwasmuchthebetterfortheapology，butatthemomentIregardeditsufficient。
Theirthingswerethenhurrieddowntothestrand，andIaccompaniedthemtotheruinedquay。ItookoffmyhattoSirWilliamashewasfirstletdownintotheboat。Hedescendedfirst，sothathemightreceivehisniece，——forallJaffanowknewthatitwasalady，——andthenIgavehermyhandforthelasttime。"Godblessyou，MissWeston，"Isaid，pressingitclosely。"Godblessyou，Mr。Jones，"
shereplied。AndfromthatdaytothisIhaveneitherspokentohernorseenher。
IwaitedafortnightatJaffafortheFrenchboat，eatingcutletsofgoat’sflesh，andwanderingamongtheorangegroves。Icertainlylookbackonthatfortnightasthemostmiserableperiodofmylife。
Ihadbeendeceived，andhadfailedtodiscoverthedeceit，eventhoughthedeceiverhadperhapswishedthatIshoulddoso。ForthatblindnessIhaveneverforgivenmyself。
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