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。
