byAnthonyTrollope
　　Inthehappydayswhenwewereyoung，nodescriptionconveyedtoussocompleteanideaofmysteriousrealityasthatofanOrientalcity。Weknewitwasactuallythere，buthadsuchvaguenotionsofitswaysandlooks！LetanyonerememberhisearlyimpressionsastoBagdadorGrandCairo，andthensayifthiswasnotso。Itwasprobablytakenfromthe"ArabianNights，"andthepictureproducedwasoneofstrange，fantastic，luxurioushouses；ofwomenwhowereeitherveryyoungandverybeautiful，orelseveryoldandverycunning；butineitherstateexercisingmuchmoreinfluenceinlifethanwomenintheEastdonow；
　　ofgood—natured，capricious，thoughsometimestyrannicalmonarchs；andoflifefullofquaintmysteries，quiteunintelligibleineveryphasis，andonthataccountthemorepicturesque。
　　AndperhapsGrandCairohasthusfilleduswithmorewondereventhanBagdad。WehavebeeninacertainmannerathomeatBagdad，buthaveonlyvisitedGrandCairooccasionally。Iknownoplacewhichwastome，inearlyyears，sodelightfullymysteriousasGrandCairo。
　　ButtheroutetoIndiaandAustraliahaschangedallthis。MenfromallcountriesgoingtotheEast，nowpassthroughCairo，anditsstreetsandcostumesarenolongerstrangetous。Ithasbecomealsoaresortforinvalids，orratherforthosewhofearthattheymaybecomeinvalidsiftheyremaininacoldclimateduringthewintermonths。
　　AndthusatCairothereisalwaystobefoundaconsiderablepopulationofFrench，Americans，andofEnglish。Orientallifeisbroughthometous，dreadfullydilutedbywesterncustoms，andthedelightsofthe"ArabianNights"areshornofhalftheirvalue。Whenwehaveseenathingitisneversomagnificenttousaswhenitwashalfunknown。
　　ItisnotmuchthatwedeigntolearnfromtheseOrientals，——wewhogloryinourcivilisation。Wedonotcopytheirsilenceortheirabstemiousness，northatinvariablemindfulnessofhisownpersonaldignitywhichalwaysadherestoaTurkortoanArab。WechatterasmuchatCairoaselsewhere，andeatasmuchanddrinkasmuch，anddressourselvesgenerallyinthesameolduglycostume。Butwedousuallytakeuponourselvestowearredcaps，andwedorideondonkeys。
　　NorarethevisitorsfromtheWesttoCairobyanymeansconfinedtothemalesex。LadiesaretobeseeninthestreetsquiteregardlessoftheMahommedancustomwhichpresumesaveiltobenecessaryforanappearanceinpublic；and，totellthetruth，theMahommedansingeneraldonotappeartobemuchshockedbytheireffrontery。
　　Aquarterofthetownhasinthiswaybecomeinhabitedbymenwearingcoatsandwaistcoats，andbywomenwhoarewithoutveils；buttheEnglishtongueinEgyptfindsitscentreatShepheard’sHotel。ItisherethatpeoplecongregatewhoarelookingoutforpartiestovisitwiththemtheUpperNile，andwhoaregenerallyallsmilesandcourtesy；andherealsoaretobefoundtheywhohavejustreturnedfromthisjourney，andwhoareofteninaframeofmindtowardstheircompanionsthatismuchlessamiable。Fromhence，duringthewinter，acortegeproceedsalmostdailytothepyramids，ortoMemphis，ortothepetrifiedforest，ortotheCityoftheSun。Andthen，again，fourorfivetimesamonththehouseisfilledwithyoungaspirantsgoingouttoIndia，maleandfemale，fullofvalourandbloom；orwithotherscominghome，nolongeryoung，nolongeraspiring，butladenwithchildrenandgrievances。
　　ThepartywithwhomweareatpresentconcernedisnotabouttoproceedfurtherthanthePyramids，andweshallbeabletogowiththemandreturninoneandthesameday。
　　ItconsistedchieflyofanEnglishfamily，Mr。andMrs。Damer，theirdaughter，andtwoyoungsons；——ofthesechiefly，becausetheywerethenucleustowhichtheothershadattachedthemselvesasadherents；theyhadoriginatedthejourney，andinthewholemanagementofitMr。Damerretardedhimselfasthemaster。
　　Theadherentswere，firstly，M。Delabordeau，aFrenchman，nowresidentinCairo，whohadgivenoutthathewasinsomewayconcernedinthecanalabouttobemadebetweentheMediterraneanandtheRedSea。IndiscussiononthissubjecthehadbecomeacquaintedwithMr。Damer；andalthoughthelattergentleman，truetoEnglishinterests，perpetuallydeclaredthatthecanalwouldneverbemade，andthusirritatedM。
　　Delabordeaunotalittle——nevertheless，somemeasureoffriendshiphadgrownupbetweenthem。
　　TherewasalsoanAmericangentleman，Mr。JeffersonIngram，whowascomprisingallcountriesandallnationsinonegrandtour，asAmericangentlemensooftendo。Hewasyoungandgood—looking，andhadmadehimselfespeciallyagreeabletoMr。Damer，whohaddeclared，morethanonce，thatMr。IngramwasbyfarthemostrationalAmericanhehadevermet。Mr。IngramwouldlistentoMr。Damerbythehalf—hourastothevirtueoftheBritishConstitution，andhadevensatbyalmostwithpatiencewhenMr。DamerhadexpressedadoubtastothegoodworkingoftheUnitedStates’schemeofpolicy，——which，inanAmerican，wasmostwonderful。ButsomeofthesojournersatShepheard’shadobservedthatMr。IngramwasinthehabitoftalkingwithMissDameralmostasmuchaswithherfather，andarguedfromthat，thatfondastheyoungmanwasofpolitics，hedidsometimesturnhismindtootherthingsalso。
　　AndthentherewasMissDawkins。NowMissDawkinswasanimportantperson，bothastoherselfandastoherlineoflife，andshemustbedescribed。Shewas，inthefirstplace，anunprotectedfemaleofaboutthirtyyearsofage。Asthisisbecominganestablishedprofession，settingitselfupasitwereinoppositiontotheoldworldideathatwomen，likegreenpeas，cannotcometoperfectionwithoutsupporting—
　　sticks，itwillbeunderstoodatoncewhatwereMissDawkins’ssentiments。Sheconsidered——oratanyratesoexpressedherself——thatpeascouldgrowverywellwithoutsticks，andcouldnotonlygrowthusunsupported，butcouldalsomaketheirwayabouttheworldwithoutanyincumbranceofstickswhatsoever。Shedidnotintend，shesaid，torivalIdaPfeiffer，seeingthatshewasattachedinamoderatewaytobedandboard，andwasattachedtosocietyinamanneralmostmorethanmoderate；butshehadnoideaofbeingpreventedfromseeinganythingshewishedtoseebecauseshehadneitherfather，norhusband，norbrotheravailableforthepurposeofescort。Shewasahumancreature，witharmsandlegs，shesaid；andsheintendedtousethem。Andthiswasallverywell；butneverthelessshehadastronginclinationtousethearmsandlegsofotherpeoplewhenshecouldmakethemserviceable。
　　InpersonMissDawkinswasnotwithoutattraction。IshouldexaggerateifIweretosaythatshewasbeautifulandelegant；butshewasgoodlooking，andnotusuallyillmannered。Shewastall，andgiftedwithfeaturesrathersharpandwitheyesverybright。Herhairwasofthedarkestshadeofbrown，andwasalwaysworninbandeaux，veryneatly。
　　Sheappearedgenerallyinblack，thoughothercircumstancesdidnotleadonetosupposethatshewasinmourning；andthen，noothertravellingcostumeissoconvenient！Shealwaysworeadarkbroad—
　　brimmedstrawhat，astotheribbonsonwhichshewasratherparticular。Shewasveryneataboutherglovesandboots；andthoughitcannotbesaidthatherdresswasgotupwithoutreferencetoexpense，therecanbenodoubtthatitwasnoteffectedwithoutconsiderableoutlay，——andmoreconsiderablethought。
　　MissDawkins——SabrinaDawkinswashername，butsheseldomhadfriendsaboutherintimateenoughtousethewordSabrina——wascertainlyacleveryoungwoman。Shecouldtalkonmostsubjects，ifnotwell，atleastwellenoughtoamuse。Ifshehadnotreadmuch，shenevershowedanylamentabledeficiency；shewasgood—humoured，asarule，andcouldonoccasionsbeverysoftandwinning。Peoplewhohadknownherlongwouldsometimessaythatshewasselfish；butwithnewacquaintanceshewasforbearingandself—denying。
　　WithwhatincomeMissDawkinswasblessednooneseemedtoknow。Shelivedlikeagentlewoman，asfarasoutwardappearancewent，andneverseemedtobeinwant；butsomepeoplewouldsaythatsheknewverywellhowmanysidesthereweretoashilling，andsomeenemyhadoncedeclaredthatshewasan"oldsoldier。"SuchwasMissDawkins。
　　Shealso，aswellasMr。IngramandM。Delabordeau，hadlaidherselfouttofindtheweaksideofMr。Damer。Mr。Damer，withallhisfamily，wasgoinguptheNile，anditwasknownthathehadroomfortwoinhisboatoverandabovehisownfamily。MissDawkinshadtoldhimthatshehadnotquitemadeuphermindtoundergosogreatafatigue，butthat，nevertheless，shehadalongingofthesoultoseesomethingofNubia。TothisMr。Damerhadanswerednothingbut"Oh！"
　　whichMissDawkinshadnotfoundtobeencouraging。
　　Butshehadnotonthataccountdespaired。Toamarriedmantherearealwaystwosides，andinthisinstancetherewasMrs。DameraswellasMr。Damer。WhenMr。Damersaid"Oh！"MissDawkinssighed，andsaid，"Yes，indeed！"thensmiled，andbetookherselftoMrs。Damer。
　　NowMrs。Damerwassoft—hearted，andalsosomewhatold—fashioned。ShedidnotconceiveanyviolentaffectionforMissDawkins，butshetoldherdaughterthat"thesingleladybyherselfwasaveryniceyoungwoman，andthatitwasathousandpitiessheshouldhavetogoaboutsomuchalonelike。"
　　MissDamerhadturnedupherprettynose，thinking，perhaps，howsmallwasthechancethatitevershouldbeherownlottobeanunprotectedfemale。ButMissDawkinscarriedherpointatanyrateasregardedtheexpeditiontothePyramids。
　　MissDamer，Ihavesaid，hadaprettynose。Imayalsosaythatshehadprettyeyes，mouth，andchin，withothernecessaryappendages，allpretty。AstothetwoMasterDamers，whowererespectivelyoftheagesoffifteenandsixteen，itmaybesufficienttosaythattheywereconspicuousforredcapsandfortheconstancywithwhichtheyracedtheirdonkeys。
　　Andnowthedonkeys，andthedonkeyboys，andthedragomanswereallstandingatthestepsofShepheard’sHotel。Toeachdonkeytherewasadonkey—boy，andtoeachgentlemantherewasadragoman，sothatagoodlycortegewasassembled，andagoodlynoisewasmade。Itmayhereberemarked，perhapswithsomelittlepride，thatnothalfthenoiseisgiveninEgypttopersonsspeakinganyotherlanguagethatisbestowedonthosewhosevocabularyisEnglish。
　　Thislastedforhalfanhour。HadthepartybeenFrenchthedonkeyswouldhavearrivedonlyfifteenminutesbeforetheappointedtime。AndthenoutcameDamerpereandDamermere，Damerfille，andDamerfils。
　　Damermerewasleaningonherhusband，aswasherwont。Shewasnotanunprotectedfemale，andhadnodesiretomakeanyattemptsinthatline。DamerfillewasattendedsedulouslybyMr。Ingram，forwhosedemolishment，however，Mr。Damerstillbroughtup，inaloudvoice，thefagendsofcertainpoliticalargumentswhichhewouldfainhavepoureddirectintotheearsofhisopponent，hadnothiswifebeensopersistentinclaimingherprivileges。M。DelabordeaushouldhavefollowedwithMissDawkins，buthisFrenchpoliteness，orelsehisfearoftheunprotectedfemale，taughthimtowalkontheothersideofthemistressoftheparty。
　　MissDawkinsleftthehousewithaneageryoungDameryellingoneachsideofher；butnevertheless，thoughthusneglectedbythegentlemenoftheparty，shewasallsmilesandprettiness，andlookedsosweetlyonMr。Ingramwhenthatgentlemanstayedamomenttohelpherontoherdonkey，thathisheartalmostmisgavehimforleavingherassoonasshewasinherseat。
　　Andthentheywereoff。IngoingfromthehoteltothePyramidsourpartyhadnottopassthroughanyofthequeeroldnarrowstreetsofthetrueCairo——CairotheOriental。Theyalllaybehindthemastheywentdownbythebackofthehotel，bythebarracksofthePashaandtheCollegeoftheDervishes，tothevillageofoldCairoandthebanksoftheNile。
　　Heretheywerekepthalfanhourwhiletheirdragomansmadeabargainwiththeferryman，astatelyreis，orcaptainofaboat，whodeclaredwithmuchdignitythathecouldnotcarrythemoverforasumlessthansixtimestheamounttowhichhewasjustlyentitled；whilethedragomans，withgreatenergyonbehalfoftheirmasters，offeredhimonlyfivetimesthatsum。
　　Asfarasthereiswasconcerned，thecontestmightsoonhavebeenatanend，forthemanwasnotwithoutaconscience；andwouldhavebeencontentwithfivetimesandahalf；butthenthethreedragomansquarrelledamongthemselvesastowhichshouldhavethepayingofthemoney，andtheaffairbecameverytedious。
　　"Whathorrid，odiousmen！"saidMissDawkins，appealingtoMr。Damer。
　　"Doyouthinktheywillletusgooveratall？"
　　"Well，Isupposetheywill；peopledogetovergenerally，Ibelieve。
　　Abdallah！Abdallah！whydon’tyoupaytheman？Thatfellowisalwaysstrivingtosavehalfapiastreforme。"
　　"Iwishhewasn’tquitesoparticular，"saidMrs。Damer，whowasalreadybecomingrathertired；"butI’msurehe’saveryhonestmanintryingtoprotectusfrombeingrobbed。"
　　"Thatheis，"saidMissDawkins。"Whatadelightfultraitofnationalcharacteritistoseethesemensofaithfultotheiremployers。"Andthenatlasttheygotovertheferry，Mr。Ingramhavingdescendedamongthecombatants，andsettledthematterindisputebythreatsandshouts，andanupliftedstick。
　　TheycrossedthebroadNileexactlyatthespotwherethenilometer，orriverguage，measuresfromdaytoday，andfromyeartoyear，theincreasingordecreasingtreasuresofthestream，andlandedatavillagewherethousandsofeggsaremadeintochickensbytheprocessofartificialincubation。
　　Mrs。Damerthoughtthatitwasveryharduponthematernalhens——thehenswhichshouldhavebeenmaternal——thattheyshouldbethusrobbedofthedelightsofmotherhood。
　　"Sounnatural，youknow，"saidMissDawkins；"soopposedtothefosteringprinciplesofcreation。Don’tyouthinkso，Mr。Ingram？"
　　Mr。Ingramsaidhedidn’tknow。HewasagainseatingMissDameronherdonkey，anditmustbepresumedthatheperformedthisfeatclumsily；
　　forFannyDamercouldjumponandofftheanimalwithhardlyafingertohelpher，whenherbrotherorherfatherwasherescort；butnow，underthehandsofMr。Ingram，thisworkofmountingwasonewhichrequiredconsiderabletimeandcare。AllwhichMissDawkinsobservedwithprecision。
　　"It’sallverywelltalking，"saidMr。Damer，bringinguphisdonkeynearlyalongsidethatofMr。Ingram，andignoringhisdaughter’spresence，justashewouldhavedonethatofhisdog；"butyoumustadmitthatpoliticalpowerismoreequallydistributedinEnglandthanitisinAmerica。"
　　"Perhapsitis，"saidMr。Ingram；"equallydistributedamong，wewillsay，threedozenfamilies，"andhemadeafeintasthoughtoholdinhisimpetuousdonkey，usingthespur，however，atthesametimeonthesidethatwasunseenbyMr。Damer。Ashedidso，Fanny’sdonkeybecameequallyimpetuous，andthetwocanteredoninadvanceofthewholeparty。ItwasquiteinvainthatMr。Damer，atthetopofhisvoice，shoutedoutsomethingabout"threedozencorruptibledemagogues。"Mr。
　　Ingramfounditquiteimpossibletorestrainhisdonkeysoastolistentothesarcasm。
　　"Idobelievepapawouldtalkpolitics，"saidFanny，"ifhewereatthetopofMontBlanc，orundertheFallsofNiagara。Idohatepolitics，Mr。Ingram。"
　　"Iamsorryforthat，very，"saidMr。Ingram，almostsadly。
　　"Sorry，why？Youdon’twantmetotalkpolitics，doyou？"
　　"InAmericaweareallpoliticians，moreorless；and，therefore，I
　　supposeyouwillhateusall。"
　　"Well，IratherthinkIshould，"saidFanny；"youwouldbesuchbores。"
　　Buttherewassomethinginhereye，asshespoke，whichatonedfortheharshnessofherwords。
　　"AveryniceyoungmanisMr。Ingram；don’tyouthinkso？"saidMissDawkinstoMrs。Damer。Mrs。Damerwasgoingalonguponherdonkey，notaltogethercomfortably。Shemuchwishedtohaveherlordandlegitimateprotectorbyherside，buthehadlefthertothecareofadragomanwhoseEnglishwasnotintelligibletoher，andshewasrathercross。
　　"Indeed，MissDawkins，Idon’tknowwhoareniceandwhoarenot。Thisnastydonkeystumblesateverstep。There！IknowIshallbedowndirectly。"
　　"Youneednotbeatallafraidofthat；theyareperfectlysafe，I
　　believe，always，"saidMissDawkins，risinginherstirrup，andhandlingherreinsquitetriumphantly。"Averylittlepracticewillmakeyouquiteathome。"
　　"Idon’tknowwhatyoumeanbyaverylittlepractice。Ihavebeenheresixweeks。Whydidyouputmeonsuchabaddonkeyasthis？"andsheturnedtoAbdallah，thedragoman。
　　"Himberrygooddonkey，mylady；berrygood，——bestofall。CallhimJackinCairo。HimgotoPyramidandback，andmindnoting。"
　　"Whatdoeshesay，MissDawkins？"
　　"HesaysthatthatdonkeyisonecalledJack。IfsoI’vehadhimmyselfmanytimes，andJackisaverygooddonkey。"
　　"Iwishyouhadhimnowwithallmyheart，"saidMrs。Damer。UponwhichMissDawkinsofferedtochange；butthoseperilsofmountinganddismountingweretoMrs。Dameragreatdealtooseveretoadmitofthis。
　　"Sevenmilesofcanaltobecarriedoutintothesea，ataminimumdepthoftwenty—threefeet，andthestonetobefetchedfromHeavenknowswhere！AllthemoneyinFrancewouldn’tdoit。"ThiswasaddressedbyMr。DamertoM。Delabordeau，whomhehadcaughtaftertheabruptflightofMr。Ingram。
　　"DenwewillborrowaleetlefromEngland，"saidM。Delabordeau。
　　"Preciouslittle，Icantellyou。Suchstockwouldnotholditspriceinourmarketsfortwenty—fourhours。Ifitweremade，thefreightswouldbetooheavytoallowofmerchandisepassingthrough。Theheavygoodswouldallgoround；andasforpassengersandmails，youdon’texpecttogetthem，Isuppose，whilethereisarailroadreadymadetotheirhand？"
　　"Yevillcarryallyourshipsthroughvidoutanytransportation。Thinkofthat，myfriend。"
　　"Pshaw！YouareworsethanIngram。OfalltheplansIeverheardofitisthemostmonstrous，themostimpracticable，themost——"Butherehewasinterruptedbytheentreatiesofhiswife，whohad，inabsolutedeedandfact，slippedfromherdonkey，andwasnowcallinglustilyforherhusband’said。WhereuponMissDawkinsalliedherselftotheFrenchman，andlistenedwithanairofstrongconvictiontothoseargumentswhichweresoweakintheearsofMr。Damer。M。DelabordeauwasabouttorideacrosstheGreatDeserttoJerusalem，anditmightperhapsbequiteaswelltodothatwithhim，astogouptheNileasfarasthesecondcataractwiththeDamers。
　　"Andso，M。Delabordeau，youintendreallytostartforMountSinai？"
　　"Yes，mees；veintendtomakeonestartonMondayweek。"
　　"AndsoontoJerusalem。Youarequiteright。Itwouldbeathousandpitiestobeinthesecountries，andtoreturnwithoutgoingoversuchgroundasthat。IshallcertainlygotoJerusalemmyselfbythatroute。"
　　"Vot，mees！you？Wouldyounotfindittoomuchfatigante？"
　　"Icarenothingforfatigue，ifIlikethepartyIamwith，——nothingatall，literally。Youwillhardlyunderstandme，perhaps，M。
　　Delabordeau；butIdonotseeanyreasonwhyI，asayoungwoman，shouldnotmakeanyjourneythatispracticableforayoungman。"
　　"Ah！datisgreatresolutionforyou，mees。"
　　"Imeanasfarasfatigueisconcerned。YouareaFrenchman，andbelongtothenationthatisattheheadofallhumancivilisation——"
　　M。Delabordeautookoffhishatandbowedlow，tothepeakofhisdonkeysaddle。Hedearlylovedtohearhiscountrypraised，asMissDawkinswasaware。
　　"AndIamsureyoumustagreewithme，"continuedMissDawkins，"thatthetimeisgonebyforwomentoconsiderthemselveshelplessanimals，ortobesoconsideredbyothers。"
　　"MeesDawkinsvouldneverbeconsidered，notinanytimesatall，tobeonehelplessanimal，"saidM。Delabordeaucivilly。
　　"Idonot，atanyrate，intendtobesoregarded，"saidshe。"Itsuitsmetotravelalone；notthatIamaversetosociety；quitethecontrary；ifImeetpleasantpeopleIamalwaysreadytojointhem。
　　Butitsuitsmetotravelwithoutanypermanentparty，andIdonotseewhyfalseshameshouldpreventmyseeingtheworldasthoroughlyasthoughIbelongedtotheothersex。Whyshouldit，M。Delabordeau？"
　　M。Delabordeaudeclaredthathedidnotseeanyreasonwhyitshould。
　　"IampassionatelyanxioustostanduponMountSinai，"continuedMissDawkins；"topresswithmyfeettheearliestspotinsacredhistory，oftheidentityofwhichwearecertain；tofeelwithinmetheawe—
　　inspiringthrillofthatthricesacredhour！"
　　TheFrenchmanlookedasthoughhedidnotquiteunderstandher，buthesaidthatitwouldbemagnifique。
　　"YouhavealreadymadeupyourpartyIsuppose，M。Delabordeau？"
　　M。DelabordeaugavethenamesoftwoFrenchmenandoneEnglishmanwhoweregoingwithhim。
　　"Uponmyworditisagreattemptationtojoinyou，"saidMissDawkins，"onlyforthathorridEnglishman。"
　　"Vat，Mr。Stanley？"
　　"Oh，Idon’tmeananydisrespecttoMr。Stanley。ThehorridnessI
　　speakofdoesnotattachtohimpersonally，buttohisstiff，respectable，ungainly，well—behaved，irrational，anduncivilisedcountry。YouseeIamnotverypatriotic。"
　　"Notquitesomuchasmyfriend，Mr。Damer。"
　　"Ha！ha！ha！anexcellentcreature，isn’the？Andsotheyallare，dearcreatures。Butthentheyaresobackward。TheyaremostanxiousthatIshouldjointhemuptheNile，but——，"andthenMissDawkinsshruggedhershouldersgracefully，and，assheflatteredherself，likeaFrenchwoman。Afterthattheyrodeoninsilenceforafewmoments。
　　"Yes，ImustseeMountSinai，"saidMissDawkins，andthensigheddeeply。M。Delabordeau，notwithstandingthathiscountrydoesstandattheheadofallhumancivilisation，wasnotcourteousenoughtodeclarethatifMissDawkinswouldjoinhispartyacrossthedesert，nothingwouldbewantingtomakehisbeatitudeinthisworldperfect。
　　Theirroadfromthevillageofthechicken—batchingovenslayupalongtheleftbankoftheNile，throughanimmensegroveofloftypalm—
　　trees，lookingoutfromamongwhichourvisitorscouldeverandanonseetheheadsofthetwogreatPyramids；——thatis，suchofthemcouldseeitasfeltanysolicitudeinthematter。
　　Itisastonishinghowsuchthingslosetheirgreatcharmasmenfindthemselvesintheircloseneighbourhood。ToonelivinginNewYorkorLondon，howecstaticistheinterestinspiredbythesehugestructures。
　　Onefeelsthatnopricewouldbetoohightopayforseeingthemaslongastimeanddistance，andtheworld’sinexorabletask—work，forbidsuchavisit。Howintensewouldbethedelightofclimbingoverthewondroushandiworkofthosewondrousarchitectssolongsincedead；howthrillingtheawewithwhichonewouldpenetratedownintotheirinteriorcaves——thosecavesinwhichlayburiedthebonesofancientkings，whoseverynamesseemtohavecometousalmostfromanotherworld！
　　Butallthesefeelingsbecomestrangelydim，theiracuteedgeswonderfullyworn，asthesubjectswhichinspiredthemarebroughtneartous。"Ah！sothosearethePyramids，arethey？"saysthetraveller，whenthefirstglimpseofthemisshowntohimfromthewindowofarailwaycarriage。"Dearme；theydon’tlooksoveryhigh，dothey？
　　ForHeaven’ssakeputtheblinddown，orweshallbedestroyedbythedust。"AndthentheecstasyandkeendelightofthePyramidshasvanishedforever。
　　Ourfriends，therefore，whoforweekspasthadseenfromadistance，thoughtheyhadnotyetvisitedthem，didnotseemtohaveanystrongfeelingonthesubjectastheytrottedthroughthegroveofpalm—trees。
　　Mr。Damerhadnotyetescapedfromhiswife，whowasstillfretfulfromtheresultofherlittleaccident。
　　"ItwasallthechatteringofthatMissDawkins，"saidMrs。Damer。
　　"ShewouldnotletmeattendtowhatIwasdoing。"
　　"MissDawkinsisanass，"saidherhusband。
　　"Itisapityshehasnoonetolookafterher，"saidMrs。Damer。M。
　　DelabordeauwasstilllisteningtoMissDawkins’srapturesaboutMountSinai。"Iwonderwhethershehasgotanymoney，"saidM。Delabordeautohimself。"Itcan’tbemuch，"hewentonthinking，"orshewouldnotbeleftinthiswaybyherself。"AndtheresultofhisthoughtswasthatMissDawkins，ifundertaken，mightprobablybecomemoreplaguethanprofit。AstoMissDawkinsherself，thoughshewasecstaticaboutMountSinai——whichwasnotpresent——sheseemedtohaveforgottenthepoorPyramids，whichwerethenbeforehernose。
　　Thetwoladswereridingracesalongthedustypath，muchtothedisgustoftheirdonkey—boys。Theirtimeforenjoymentwastocome。
　　Therewerehamperstobeopened；andthentheabsoluteclimbingofthePyramidswouldactuallybeadelighttothem。
　　AsforMissDamerandMr。Ingram，itwasclearthattheyhadforgottenpalm—trees，Pyramids，theNile，andallEgypt。Theyhadescapedtoamuchfairerparadise。
　　"CouldIbeartoliveamongRepublicans？"saidFanny，repeatingthelastwordsofherAmericanlover，andlookingdownfromherdonkeytothegroundasshedidso。"IhardlyknowwhatRepublicansare，Mr。
　　Ingram。"
　　"Letmeteachyou，"saidhe。
　　"Youdotalksuchnonsense。IdeclarethereisthatMissDawkinslookingatusasthoughshehadtwentyeyes。Couldyounotteachher，Mr。Ingram？"
　　Andsotheyemergedfromthepalm—treegrove，throughavillagecrowdedwithdirty，stragglingArabchildren，ontothecultivatedplain，beyondwhichthePyramidsstood，nowfullbeforethem；thetwolargePyramids，asmallerone，andthehugesphynx’sheadallinagrouptogether。
　　"Fanny，"saidBobDamer，ridinguptoher，"mammawantsyou；sotoddleback。"
　　"Mammawantsme！Whatcanshewantmefornow？"saidFanny，withalookofanythingbutfilialdutyinherface。
　　"ToprotectherfromMissDawkins，Ithink。Shewantsyoutorideatherside，sothatDawkinsmayn’tgetather。Now，Mr。Ingram，I’llbetyouhall—a—crownI’matthetopofthebigPyramidbeforeyou。"
　　PoorFanny！Sheobeyed，however；doubtlessfeelingthatitwouldnotdoasyettoshowtooplainlythatshepreferredMr。Ingramtohermother。Shearrestedherdonkey，therefore，tillMrs。Damerovertookher；andMr。Ingram，ashepausedforamomentwithherwhileshedidso，fellintothehandsofMissDawkins。
　　"Icannotthink，Fanny，howyougetonsoquick，"saidMrs。Damer。
　　"I’malwayslast；butthenmydonkeyissuchaverynastyone。Lookthere，now；he’salwaystryingtogetmeoff。"
　　"WeshallsoonbeatthePyramidsnow，mamma。"
　　"HowonearthIamevertogetbackagainIcannotthink。IamsotirednowthatIcanhardlysit。"
　　"You’llbebetter，mamma，whenyougetyourluncheonandaglassofwine。"
　　"HowonearthwearetoeatanddrinkwiththosenastyArabpeoplearoundus，Ican’tconceive。Theytellmeweshallbeeatenupbythem。But，Fanny，whathasMr。Ingrambeensayingtoyoualltheday？"
　　"Whathashebeensaying，mamma？Oh！Idon’tknow；——ahundredthings，Idaresay。Buthehasnotbeentalkingtomeallthetime。"
　　"Ithinkhehas，Fanny，nearly，sincewecrossedtheriver。Oh，dear！
　　oh，dear！thisanimaldoeshurtmeso！Everytimehemovesheflingshisheadabout，andthatgivesmesuchabump。"AndthenFannycommiseratedhermother’ssufferings，andinhercommiserationcontrivedtoeludeanyfurtherquestioningsastoMr。Ingram’sconversation。
　　"Majesticpiles，aretheynot？"saidMissDawkins，who，havingchangedhercompanion，allowedhermindtorevertfromMountSinaitothePyramids。Theywerenowridingthroughcultivatedground，withthevastextentofthesandsofLibyabeforethem。ThetwoPyramidswerestandingonthemarginofthesand，withtheheadoftherecumbentsphynxplainlyvisiblebetweenthem。Butnoideacanbeformedofthesizeofthisimmensefiguretillitisvisitedmuchmoreclosely。Thebodyiscoveredwithsand，andtheheadandneckalonestandabovethesurfaceoftheground。Theywerestilltwomilesdistant，andthesphynxasyetwasbutanobscuremountbetweenthetwovastPyramids。
　　"Immensepiles！"saidMissDawkins，repeatingherownwords。
　　"Yes，theyarelarge，"saidMr。Ingram，whodidnotchoosetoindulgeinenthusiasminthepresenceofMissDawkins。
　　"Enormous！Whatagrandidea！——eh，Mr。Ingram？Thehumanracedoesnotcreatesuchthingsasthosenowadays！"
　　"No，indeed，"heanswered；"butperhapswecreatebetterthings。"
　　"Better！Youdonotmeantosay，Mr。Ingram，thatyouareanutilitarian。Ido，intruth，hopebetterthingsofyouthanthat。
　　Yes！steammillsarebetter，nodoubt，andmechanics’institutesandpennynewspapers。Butisnothingtobevaluedbutwhatisuseful？"
　　AndMissDawkins，intheheightofherenthusiasm，switchedherdonkeyseverelyovertheshoulder。
　　"Imight，perhaps，havesaidalsothatwecreatemorebeautifulthings，"saidMr。Ingram。
　　"Butwecannotcreateolderthings。"
　　"No，certainly；wecannotdothat。"
　　"Norcanweimbuewhatwedocreatewiththegrandassociationswhichenvironthosepileswithsointenseaninterest。Thinkofthemightydead，Mr。Ingram，andoftheirgreathomeswhenliving。Thinkofthehandswhichittooktoraisethosehugeblocks——"
　　"Andoftheliveswhichitcost。"
　　"Doubtless。Thetyrannyandinvinciblepoweroftheroyalarchitectsaddtothegrandeuroftheidea。OnewouldnotwishtohavebackthekingsofEgypt。"
　　"Well，no；theywouldbeneitherusefulnorbeautiful。"
　　"Perhapsnot；andIdonotwishtobepicturesqueattheexpenseofmyfellow—creatures。"
　　"Idoubt，even，whethertheywouldbepicturesque。"
　　"YouknowwhatImean，Mr。Ingram。Buttheassociationsofsuchnames，andthepresenceofthestupendousworkswithwhichtheyareconnected，fillthesoulwithawe。Such，atleast，istheeffectwithmine。"
　　"Ifearthatmytendencies，MissDawkins，aremorerealisticthanyourown。"
　　"Youbelongtoayoungcountry，Mr。Ingram，andarenaturallypronetothinkofmateriallife。Thenecessityoflivingloomslargebeforeyou。"
　　"Verylarge，indeed，MissDawkins。"
　　"Whereaswithus，withsomeofusatleast，thematerialaspecthasgivenplacetooneinwhichpoetryandenthusiasmprevail。Tosuchamongustheassociationsofpasttimesareverydear。Cheops，tome，ismorethanNapoleonBonaparte。"
　　"Thatismorethanmostofyourcountrymencansay，atanyrate，justatpresent。"
　　"Iamawoman，"continuedMissDawkins。
　　Mr。Ingramtookoffhishatinacknowledgmentbothoftheannouncementandofthefact。
　　"Andtousitisnotgiven——notgivenasyet——toshareinthegreatdeedsofthepresent。Theenvyofyoursexhasdrivenusfromthepathswhichleadtohonour。Butthedeedsofthepastareasmuchoursasyours。"
　　"Oh，quiteasmuch。"
　　"’Tistoyourcountrythatwelookforenfranchisementfromthisthraldom。Yes，Mr。Ingram，thewomenofAmericahavethatstrengthofmindwhichhasbeenwantingtothoseofEurope。IntheUnitedStateswomanwillatlastlearntoexerciseherpropermission。"
　　Mr。Ingramexpressedasincerewishthatsuchmightbethecase；andthenwonderingattheingenuitywithwhichMissDawkinshadtravelledroundfromCheopsandhisPyramidtotherightsofwomeninAmerica，hecontrivedtofallback，underthepretenceofaskingaftertheailmentsofMrs。Damer。
　　Andnowatlasttheywereonthesand，intheabsolutedesert，makingtheirwayuptotheveryfootofthemostnorthernofthetwoPyramids。
　　TheywerebythistimesurroundedbyacrowdofArabguides，orArabsprofessingtobeguides，whohadalreadyascertainedthatMr。Damerwasthechiefoftheparty，andwereaccordinglydrivinghimalmosttomadnessbytheoffersoftheirservices，andtheirassurancethathecouldnotpossiblyseetheoutsideortheinsideofeitherstructure，orevenremainaliveupontheground，unlessheatonceacceptedtheiroffersmadeattheirownprices。