"Getaway，willyou？"saidhe。"Idon’twantanyofyou，andIwon’thaveyou！IfyoutakeholdofmeI’llshootyou！"ThiswassaidtoonespeciallyenergeticArab，who，inhiseffortstosecurehisprey，hadcaughtholdofMr。Damerbytheleg。
　　"Yes，yes，Isay！Englishmenalwaystakeme；——me——me，andthennobreakhimleg。Yes——yes——yes；——Igo。Master，sayyes。Onlyoneleetletenshillings！"
　　"Abdallah！"shoutedMr。Damer，"whydon’tyoutakethismanaway？Whydon’tyoumakehimunderstandthatifallthePyramidsdependedonit，Iwouldnotgivehimsixpence！"
　　AndthenAbdallah，thusinvoked，cameup，andexplainedtothemaninArabicthathewouldgainhisobjectmoresurelyifhewouldbehavehimselfalittlemorequietly；ahintwhichthemantookforoneminute，andforoneminuteonly。
　　AndthenpoorMrs。Damerrepliedtoanapplicationforbacksheishbythegiftofasixpence。Unfortunatewoman！Thewordbacksheishmeans，Ibelieve，agift；butithascomeinEgypttosignifymoney，andiseternallydinnedintotheearsofstrangersbyArabsuppliants。Mrs。
　　Dameroughttohaveknownbetter，as，duringthelastsixweeksshehadnevershownherfaceoutofShepheard’sHotelwithoutbeingpesteredforbacksheish；butshewastiredandweak，andfoolishlythoughttoridherselfofthemanwhowasannoyingher。
　　NosoonerhadthecoindroppedfromherhandintothatoftheArab，thanshewassurroundedbyaclusterofbeggars，wholoudlymadetheirpetitionsasthoughtheywould，eachofthem，individuallybeinjurediftreatedwithlessliberalitythanthatfirstcomer。Theytookholdofherdonkey，herbridle，hersaddle，herlegs，andatlastherarmsandhands，screamingforbacksheishinvoicesthatwereneithersweetnormild。
　　Inherdismayshedidgiveawaysundrysmallcoins——all，probably，thatshehadabouther；butthisonlymadethematterworse。Moneywasgoing，andeachman，bysufficientenergy，mighthopetogetsomeofit。Theywereveryenergetic，andsofrightenedthepoorladythatshewouldcertainlyhavefallen，hadshenotbeenkeptonherseatbythepressurearoundher。
　　"Oh，dear！oh，dear！getaway，"shecried。"Ihaven’tgotanymore；
　　indeedIhaven’t。Goaway，Itellyou！Mr。Damer！oh，Mr。Damer！"andthen，intheexcessofheragony，sheutteredoneloud，long，andcontinuousshriek。
　　UpcameMr。Damer；upcameAbdallah；upcameM。Delabordeau；upcameMr。Ingram，andatlastshewasrescued。"Youshouldn’tgoawayandleavemetothemercyofthesenastypeople。AstothatAbdallah，heisofnousetoanybody。"
　　"Whyyoubodderdegoodlady，youdemblackguard？"saidAbdallah，raisinghisstick，asthoughheweregoingtolaythemalllowwithablow。"Nowyougetnoting，youtief！"
　　TheArabsforamomentretiredtoalittledistance，likefliesdrivenfromasugar—bowl；butitwaseasytoseethat，liketheflies，theywouldreturnatthefirstvacantmoment。
　　AndnowtheyhadreachedtheveryfootofthePyramidsandproceededtodismountfromtheirdonkeys。Theirintentionwasfirsttoascendtothetop，thentocomedowntotheirbanquet，andafterthattopenetrateintotheinterior。Andallthiswouldseemtobeeasyofperformance。ThePyramidisundoubtedlyhigh，butitissoconstructedastoadmitofclimbingwithoutdifficulty。Aladymountingitwouldundoubtedlyneedsomeassistance，butanymanpossessedofmoderateactivitywouldrequirenoaidatall。
　　Butourfriendswereatonceimbuedwiththetremendousnatureofthetaskbeforethem。AsheikhoftheArabscameforth，whocommunicatedwiththemthroughAbdallah。Theworkcouldbedone，nodoubt，hesaid；
　　butagreatmanymenwouldbewantedtoassist。EachladymusthavefourArabs，andeachgentlementhree；andthen，seeingthattheworkwouldbepeculiarlysevereonthisspecialday，eachofthesenumerousArabsmustberemuneratedbysomeverylargenumberofpiastres。
　　Mr。Damer，whowasbynomeansaclosemaninhismoneydealings，openedhiseyeswithsurprise，andmildlyexpostulated；M。Delabordeau，whowasratheraclosemaninhisreckonings，immediatelybuttoneduphisbreechespocketanddeclaredthatheshoulddeclinetomountthePyramidatallatthatprice；andthenMr。Ingramdescendedtothecombat。
　　Theprotestationsofthemenwerefearful。Theydeclared，withloudvoices，eageractions，andmanifoldEnglishoaths，thatanattemptwasbeingmadetorobthem。Theyhadarighttodemandthesumswhichtheywerecharging，anditwasashamethatEnglishgentlemenshouldcomeandtakethebreadoutoftheirmouths。Andsotheyscreeched，gesticulated，andswore，andfrightenedpoorMrs。Dameralmostintofits。
　　Butatlastitwassettledandawaytheystarted，thesheikhdeclaringthatthebargainhadbeenmadeatsolowarateastoleavehimnotonepiastreforhimself。EachmanhadanAraboneachsideofhim，andMissDawkinsandMissDamerhadeach，inaddition，onebehind。Mrs。
　　Damerwassofrightenedasaltogethertohavelostallambitiontoascend。Shesatbelowonafragmentofstone，withthethreedragomansstandingaroundherasguards；butevenwiththethreedragomanstheattacksonherweresofrequent，andasshedeclaredafterwardsshewassobewildered，thatsheneverhadtimetorememberthatshehadcometherefromEnglandtoseethePyramids，andthatshewasnowimmediatelyunderthem。
　　Theboys，utterlyignoringtheirguides，scrambledupquickerthantheArabscouldfollowthem。Mr。Damerstartedoffatapacewhichsoonbroughthimtotheendofhistether，andfromthatpointwasdraggedupbythesheerstrengthofhisassistants；therebyaccomplishingthewishesofthemen，whoinducetheirvictimstostartasrapidlyaspossible，inorderthattheymaysoonfindthemselveshelplessfromwantofwind。Mr。IngramendeavouredtoattachhimselftoFanny，andshewouldhavebeennothinglothtohavehimatherrighthandinsteadofthehideousbrown，shrieking，one—eyedArabwhotookholdofher。
　　Butitwassoonfoundthatanysucharrangementwasimpossible。Eachguidefeltthatifhelosthisownpeculiarholdhewouldlosehisprey，andheldon，therefore，withinvincibletenacity。MissDawkinslooked，too，asthoughshehadthoughttobeattendedtobysomeChristiancavalier，butnoChristiancavalierwasforthcoming。M。
　　Delabordeauwasthewisest，forhetookthematterquietly，didashewasbid，andallowedtheguidesnearlytocarryhimtothetopoftheedifice。
　　"Ha！sothisisthetopofthePyramid，isit？"saidMr。Damer，bringingouthiswordsonebyone，beingterriblyoutofbreath。"Verywonderful，verywonderful，indeed！"
　　"Itiswonderful，"saidMissDawkins，whosebreathhadnotfailedherintheleast，"verywonderful，indeed！Onlythink，Mr。Damer，youmighttravelonfordaysanddays，tilldaysbecamemonths，throughthoseinterminablesands，andyetyouwouldnevercometotheendofthem。Isitnotquitestupendous？"
　　"Ah，yes，quite，——puff，puff"——saidMr。Damerstrivingtoregainhisbreath。
　　Mr。Damerwasnowatherdisposal；weakandwornwithtoilandtravel，outofbreath，andwithhalfhismanhoodgone；ifevershemightprevailoverhimsoastoprocurefromhismouthanassenttothatNileproposition，itwouldbenow。Andafterall，thatNilepropositionwasthebestonenowbeforeher。ShedidnotquiteliketheideaofstartingoffacrosstheGreatDesertwithoutanylady，andwasnotsurethatshewaspreparedtobefalleninlovewithbyM。Delabordeau，evenifthereshouldultimatelybeanyreadinessonthepartofthatgentlemantoperformtheroleoflover。WithMr。Ingramthematterwasdifferent，norwasshesodiffidentofherowncharmsastothinkitaltogetherimpossiblethatshemightsucceed，intheteethofthatlittlechit，FannyDamer。ThatMr。IngramwouldjointhepartyuptheNileshehadverylittledoubt；andthentherewouldbeoneplaceleftforher。Shewouldthus，atanyrate，becomecommingledwithamostrespectablefamily，whomightbeofmaterialservicetoher。
　　ThusactuatedshecommencedanearnestattackuponMr。Damer。
　　"Stupendous！"shesaidagain，forshewasfondofrepeatingfavouritewords。"WhatawondrousracemusthavebeenthoseEgyptiankingsofold！"
　　"Idaresaytheywere，"saidMr。Damer，wipinghisbrowashesatuponalargeloosestone，afragmentlyingontheflattopofthePyramid，oneofthosestoneswithwhichthecompleteapexwasoncemade，orwasonceabouttobemade。
　　"Amagnificentrace！sogiganticintheirconceptions！Theirideasaltogetheroverwhelmuspoor，insignificant，latter—daymortals。TheybuiltthesevastPyramids；butforus，itistaskenoughtoclimbtotheirtop。"
　　"Quiteenough，"ejaculatedMr。Damer。
　　ButMr。Damerwouldnotalwaysremainweakandoutofbreath，anditwasabsolutelynecessaryforMissDawkinstohurryawayfromCheopsandhistomb，toThebesandKarnac。
　　"AfterseeingthisitisimpossibleforanyonewithasparkofimaginationtoleaveEgyptwithoutgoingfarthera—field。"
　　Mr。Damermerelywipedhisbrowandgrunted。ThisMissDawkinstookasasignalofweakness，andwentonwithhertaskperseveringly。
　　"Formyself，Ihaveresolvedtogoup，atanyrate，asfarasAsouanandthefirstcataract。IhadthoughtofaccedingtothewishesofapartywhoaregoingacrosstheGreatDesertbyMountSinaitoJerusalem；butthekindnessofyourselfandMrs。Damerissogreat，andtheprospectofjoininginyourboatissopleasurable，thatIhavemadeupmymindtoacceptyourverykindoffer。"
　　This，itwillbeacknowledged，wasboldonthepartofMissDawkins；
　　butwhatwillnotaudacityeffect？Tousetheslangofmodernlanguage，cheekcarrieseverythingnowadays。AndwhatevermayhavebeenMissDawkins’sdeficiencies，inthisvirtueshewasnotdeficient。
　　"Ihavemadeupmymindtoacceptyourverykindoffer，"shesaid，shiningonMr。Damerwithherblandestsmile。
　　Whatwasastout，breathless，perspiring，middle—agedgentlemantodoundersuchcircumstances？Mr。Damerwasamanwho，inmostmatters，hadhisownway。Thathiswifeshouldhavegivensuchaninvitationwithoutconsultinghim，was，heknew，quiteimpossible。ShewouldassoonhavethoughtofaskingallthoseArabguidestoaccompanythem。
　　NorwasittobethoughtofthatheshouldallowhimselftobekidnappedintosuchanarrangementbytheimpudenceofanyMissDawkins。Buttherewas，hefelt，adifficultyinansweringsuchapropositionfromayoungladywithadirectnegative，especiallywhilehewassoscantofbreath。Sohewipedhisbrowagain，andlookedather。
　　"ButIcanonlyagreetothisononeunderstanding，"continuedMissDawkins，"andthatis，thatIamallowedtodefraymyownfullshareoftheexpenseofthejourney。"
　　UponhearingthisMr。Damerthoughtthathesawhiswayoutofthewood。"WhereverIgo，MissDawkins，Iamalwaysthepaymastermyself，"
　　andthishecontrivedtosaywithsomesternness，palpitatingthoughhestillwas；andthesternnesswhichwasdeficientinhisvoiceheendeavouredtoputintohiscountenance。
　　ButhedidnotknowMissDawkins。"Oh，Mr。Damer，"shesaid，andasshespokehersmilebecamealmostblanderthanitwasbefore；"oh，Mr。
　　Damer，Icouldnotthinkofsufferingyoutobesoliberal；Icouldnot，indeed。ButIshallbequitecontentthatyoushouldpayeverything，andletmesettlewithyouinonesumafterwards。"
　　Mr。Damer’sbreathwasnowrathermoreunderhisowncommand。"Iamafraid，MissDawkins，"hesaid，"thatMrs。Damer’sweakstateofhealthwillnotadmitofsuchanarrangement。"
　　"What，aboutthepaying？"
　　"Notonlyastothat，butweareafamilyparty，MissDawkins；andgreataswouldbethebenefitofyoursocietytoallofus，inMrs。
　　Damer’spresentstateofhealth，Iamafraid——inshort，youwouldnotfinditagreeable。——Andtherefore——"thisheadded，seeingthatshewasstillabouttopersevere——"Ifearthatwemustforegotheadvantageyouoffer。"
　　Andthen，lookingintohisface，MissDawkinsdidperceivethatevenheraudacitywouldnotprevail。
　　"Oh，verywell，"shesaid，andmovingfromthestoneonwhichshehadbeensitting，shewalkedoff，carryingherheadveryhigh，toacornerofthePyramidfromwhichshecouldlookforthalonetowardsthesandsofLibya。
　　InthemeantimeanotherlittleoverturewasbeingmadeonthetopofthesamePyramid，——anoverturewhichwasnotreceivedquiteinthesamespirit。WhileMr。DamerwasrecoveringhisbreathforthesakeofansweringMissDawkins，MissDamerhadwalkedtothefurthercornerofthesquareplatformonwhichtheywereplaced，andtheresatherselfdownwithherfaceturnedtowardsCairo。PerhapsitwasnotsingularthatMr。Ingramshouldhavefollowedher。
　　ThiswouldhavebeenverywellifadozenArabshadnotalsofollowedthem。Butasthiswasthecase，Mr。Ingramhadtoplayhisgameundersomedifficulty。Hehadnosoonerseatedhimselfbesideherthantheycameandstooddirectlyinfrontoftheseat，shuttingouttheview，andbynomeansimprovingthefragranceoftheairaroundthem。
　　"Andthis，then，MissDamer，willbeourlastexcursiontogether，"hesaid，inhistenderest，softesttone。
　　"DegoodEnglishmanwillgibdepoorArabonelittlebacksheish，"saidanArab，puttingouthishandandshakingMr。Ingram’sshoulder。
　　"Yes，yes，yes；himgibbacksheish，"saidanother。
　　"Himberrygoodman，"saidathird，puttinguphisfilthyhand，andtouchingMr。Ingram’sface。
　　"Andyoungladyberrygood，too；shegivebacksheishtopoorArab。"
　　"Yes，"saidafourth，preparingtotakeasimilarlibertywithMissDamer。
　　ThiswastoomuchforMr。Ingram。Hehadalreadyusedverypositivelanguageinhisendeavourtoassurehistormentorsthattheywouldnotgetapiastrefromhim。Butthisonlychangedtheirsoftpersuasionsintothreats。Uponhearingwhich，anduponseeingwhatthemanattemptedtodoinhisendeavourtogetmoneyfromMissDamer，heraisedhisstick，andstruckfirstoneandthentheotherasviolentlyashecouldupontheirheads。
　　Anyordinarycivilisedmenwouldhavebeenstunnedbysuchblows，fortheyfellonthebareforeheadsoftheArabs；buttheobjectsoftheAmerican’swrathmerelyskulkedaway；andtheothers，convincedbytheonlyargumentswhichtheyunderstood，followedinpursuitofvictimswhomightbelesspugnacious。
　　Itishardforamantobeatoncetenderandpugnacious——tobesentimental，whileheisputtingforthhisphysicalstrengthwithalltheviolenceinhispower。Itisdifficult，also，forhimtobegentleinstantlyafterhavingbeeninarage。Sohechangedhistacticsatthemoment，andcametothepointatonceinamannerbefittinghispresentstateofmind。
　　"Thosevilewretcheshaveputmeinsuchaheat，"hesaid，"thatI
　　hardlyknowwhatIamsaying。Butthefactisthis，MissDamer，I
　　cannotleaveCairowithoutknowing——。YouunderstandwhatImean，MissDamer。"
　　"IndeedIdonot，Mr。Ingram；exceptthatIamafraidyoumeannonsense。"
　　"Yes，youdo；youknowthatIloveyou。Iamsureyoumustknowit。
　　Atanyrateyouknowitnow。"
　　"Mr。Ingram，youshouldnottalkinsuchaway。"
　　"WhyshouldInot？Butthetruthis，Fanny，Icantalkinnootherway。Idoloveyoudearly。Canyoulovemewellenoughtogoandbemywifeinacountryfarawayfromyourown？"
　　BeforesheleftthetopofthePyramidFannyDamerhadsaidthatshewouldtry。
　　Mr。Ingramwasnowaproudandhappyman，andseemedtothinkthestepsofthePyramidtoosmallforhiselasticenergy。ButFannyfearedthathertroublesweretocome。Therewaspapa——thatterriblebugbearonallsuchoccasions。Whatwouldpapasay？Shewassureherpapawouldnotallowhertomarryandgosofarawayfromherownfamilyandcountry。Forherself，shelikedtheAmericans——alwayshadlikedthem；
　　soshesaid；——woulddesirenothingbetterthantoliveamongthem。Butpapa！AndFannysighedasshefeltthatalltherecognisedmiseriesofayoungladyinlovewereabouttofalluponher。
　　Nevertheless，atherlover’sinstance，shepromised，anddeclared，intwentydifferentlovingphrases，thatnothingonearthshouldevermakeherfalsetoherloveortoherlover。
　　"Fanny，whereareyou？Whyareyounotreadytocomedown？"shoutedMr。Damer，notinthebestoftempers。Hefeltthathehadalmostbeenunkindtoanunprotectedfemale，andhisheartmisgavehim。AndyetitwouldhavemisgivenhimmorehadheallowedhimselftobeentrappedbyMissDawkins。
　　"Iamquiteready，papa，"saidFanny，runninguptohim——foritmaybeunderstoodthatthereisquiteroomenoughforayoungladytorunonthetopofthePyramid。
　　"IamsureIdon’tknowwhereyouhavebeenallthetime，"saidMr。
　　Damer；"andwherearethosetwoboys？"
　　FannypointedtothetopoftheotherPyramid，andtheretheywere，conspicuouswiththeirredcaps。
　　"AndM。Delabordeau？"
　　"Oh！hehasgonedown，Ithink；——no，heistherewithMissDawkins。"
　　AndintruthMissDawkinswasleaningonhisarmmostaffectionately，asshestoopedoverandlookeddownupontheruinsbelowher。
　　"Andwhereisthatfellow，Ingram？"saidMr。Damer，lookingabouthim。
　　"Heisalwaysoutofthewaywhenhe’swanted。"
　　TothisFannysaidnothing。Whyshouldshe？ShewasnotMr。Ingram’skeeper。
　　Andthentheyalldescended，eachagainwithhispropernumberofArabstohurryandembarrasshim；andtheyfoundMr。Dameratthebottom，likeapieceofsugarcoveredwithflies。ShewasheardtodeclareafterwardsthatshewouldnotgotothePyramidsagain，notiftheyweretobegiventoherforherself，asornamentsforhergarden。
　　ThepicniclunchamongthebigstonesatthefootofthePyramidwasnotaverygayaffair。MissDawkinstalkedmorethananyoneelse，beingdeterminedtoshowthatsheboreherdefeatgallantly。Herconversation，however，waschieflyaddressedtoM。Delabordeau，andheseemedtothinkmoreofhiscoldchickenandhamthanhedidofherwitandattention。
　　Fannyhardlyspokeaword。Therewasherfatherbeforeherandshecouldnoteat，muchlesstalk，asshethoughtofallthatshewouldhavetogothrough。WhatwouldhesaytotheideaofhavinganAmericanforason—in—law？
　　NorwasMr。Ingramverylively。Ayoungmanwhenhehasbeenjustaccepted，neverisso。Hishappinessunderthepresentcircumstanceswas，nodoubt，intense，butitwasofasilentnature。
　　Andthentheinteriorofthebuildinghadtobevisited。Totellthetruthnoneofthepartywouldhavecaredtoperformthisfeathaditnotbeenforthehonourofthething。TohavecomefromParis，NewYork，orLondon，tothePyramids，andthennottohavevisitedtheverytombofCheops，wouldhaveshownonthepartofallofthemanindifferencetosubjectsofinterestwhichwouldhavebeenaltogetherfataltotheircharacterastravellers。Andsoapartyfortheinteriorwasmadeup。
　　MissDamerwhenshesawtheaperturethroughwhichitwasexpectedthatsheshoulddescend，atoncedeclaredforstayingwithhermother。MissDawkins，however，wasenthusiasticforthejourney。"Personswithsoverylittlecommandovertheirnervesmightreallyaswellstayathome，"shesaidtoMr。Ingram，whogloweredatherdreadfullyforexpressingsuchanopinionabouthisFanny。
　　ThisentranceintothePyramidsisaterribletask，whichshouldbeundertakenbynolady。Thosewhoperformithavetocreepdown，andthentobedraggedup，throughinfinitedirt，foulsmells，andbadair；
　　andwhentheyhavedoneit，theyseenothing。ButtheydoearnthegratificationofsayingthattheyhavebeeninsideaPyramid。
　　"Well，I’vedonethatonce，"saidMr。Damer，comingout，"andIdonotthinkthatanyonewillcatchmedoingitagain。Ineverwasinsuchafilthyplaceinmylife。"
　　"Oh，Fanny！Iamsogladyoudidnotgo；Iamsureitisnotfitforladies，"saidpoorMrs。Damer，forgetfulofherfriendMissDawkins。
　　"Ishouldhavebeenashamedofmyself，"saidMissDawkins，bristlingup，andthrowingbackherheadasshestood，"ifIhadallowedanyconsiderationtohavepreventedmyvisitingsuchaspot。Ifitbenotimproperformentogothere，howcanitbeimproperforwomen？"
　　"Ididnotsayimproper，mydear，"saidMrs。Damer，apologetically。
　　"Andasforthefatigue，whatcanawomanbeworthwhoisafraidtoencounterasmuchasIhavenowgonethroughforthesakeofvisitingthelastresting—placeofsuchakingasCheops？"AndMissDawkins，asshepronouncedthelastwords，lookedroundherwithdisdainuponpoorFannyDamer。
　　"ButImeantthedirt，"saidMrs。Damer。
　　"Dirt！"ejaculatedMissDawkins，andthenwalkedaway。WhyshouldshenowsubmitherhightoneoffeelingtotheDamers，orwhycarelongerfortheirgoodopinion？Thereforeshescatteredcontemptaroundherassheejaculatedthelastword，"dirt。"
　　Andthenthereturnhome！"IknowIshallnevergetthere，"saidMrs。
　　Damer，lookingpiteouslyupintoherhusband’sface。
　　"Nonsense，mydear；nonsense；youmustgetthere。"Mrs。Damergroaned，andacknowledgedinherheartthatshemust，——eitherdeadoralive。
　　"And，Jefferson，"saidFanny，whispering——fortherehadbeenamomentsincetheirdescentinwhichshehadbeeninstructedtocallhimbyhisChristianname——"nevermindtalkingtomegoinghome。Iwillridebymamma。Doyougowithpapaandputhimingoodhumour；andithesaysanythingaboutthelordsandthebishops，don’tyoucontradicthim，youknow。"
　　Whatwillnotamandoforlove？Mr。Ingrampromised。
　　Andinthiswaytheystarted；thetwoboysledthevan；thencameMr。
　　DamerandMr。Ingram，unusuallyandunpatrioticallyacquiescentastoEngland’saristocraticpropensities；thenMissDawkinsriding，alas！
　　alone；afterher，M。Delabordeau，alsoalone，——theungallantFrenchman！
　　AndtherearwasbroughtupbyMrs。Damerandherdaughter，flankedoneachsidebyadragoman，withathirddragomanbehindthem。
　　AndinthisordertheywentbacktoCairo，ridingtheirdonkeys，andcrossingtheferrysolemnly，and，forthemostpart，silently。Mr。
　　Ingramdidtalk，ashehadanimportantobjectinview，——thatofputtingMr。Damerintoagoodhumour。
　　Inthishesucceededsowellthatbythetimetheyhadremounted，aftercrossingtheNile，Mr。Dameropenedhishearttohiscompaniononthesubjectthatwastroublinghim，andtoldhimallaboutMissDawkins。
　　"Idon’tseewhyweshouldhaveacompanionthatwedon’tlikeforeightortenweeks，merelybecauseitseemsrudetorefusealady。"
　　"Indeed，Iagreewithyou，"saidMr。Ingram；"Ishouldcallitweak—
　　mindedtogivewayinsuchacase。"
　　"Mydaughterdoesnotlikeheratall，"continuedMr。Damer。
　　"NorwouldshebeanicecompanionforMissDamer；notaccordingtomywayofthinking，"saidMr。Ingram。
　　"Andastomyhavingaskedher，orMrs。Damerhavingaskedher！Why，Godblessmysoul，itispureinventiononthewoman’spart！"
　　"Ha！ha！ha！"laughedMr。Ingram；"Imustsaysheplayshergamewell；
　　butthensheisanoldsoldier，andhasthebenefitofexperience。"
　　WhatwouldMissDawkinshavesaidhadsheknownthatMr。Ingramcalledheranoldsoldier？
　　"Idon’tlikethekindofthingatall，"saidMr。Damer，whowasveryseriousuponthesubject。"YouseethepositioninwhichIamplaced。
　　Iamforcedtobeveryrude，or——"
　　"Idon’tcallitrudeatall。"
　　"Disobliging，then；orelseImusthaveallmycomfortinvadedandpleasuredestroyedby，by，by——"AndMr。Damerpaused，beingatalossforanappropriatenameforMissDawkins。
　　"Byanunprotectedfemale，"suggestedMr。Ingram。
　　"Yes，justso。Iamasfondofpleasantcompanyasanybody；butthenI
　　liketochooseitmyself。"
　　"SodoI，"saidMr。Ingram，thinkingofhisownchoice。
　　"Now，Ingram，ifyouwouldjoinus，weshouldbedelighted。"
　　"Uponmyword，sir，theofferistooflattering，"saidIngram，hesitatingly；forhefeltthathecouldnotundertakesuchajourneyuntilMr。DamerknewonwhattermshestoodwithFanny。
　　"Youareaterribledemocrat，"saidMr。Damer，laughing；"butthen，onthatmatter，youknow，wecouldagreetodiffer。"
　　"Exactlyso，"saidMr。Ingram，whohadnotcollectedhisthoughtsormadeuphismindastowhathehadbettersayanddo，onthespurofthemoment。
　　"Well，whatdoyousaytoit？"saidMr。Damer，encouragingly。ButIngrampausedbeforeheanswered。
　　"ForHeaven’ssake，mydearfellow，don’thavetheslightesthesitationinrefusing，ifyoudon’tliketheplan。"
　　"Thefactis，Mr。Damer，Ishouldlikeittoowell。"
　　"Likeittoowell？"
　　"Yes，sir，andImayaswelltellyounowaslater。Ihadintendedthiseveningtohaveaskedforyourpermissiontoaddressyourdaughter。"
　　"Godblessmysoul！"saidMr。Damer，lookingasthoughatotallynewideahadnowbeenopenedtohim。
　　"Andunderthesecircumstances，Iwillnowwaitandseewhetherornoyouwillrenewyouroffer。"
　　"Godblessmysoul！"saidMr。Damer，again。Itoftendoesstrikeanoldgentlemanasveryoddthatanymanshouldfallinlovewithhisdaughter，whomhehasnotceasedtolookuponasachild。Thecaseisgenerallyquitedifferentwithmothers。Theyseemtothinkthateveryyoungmanmustfallinlovewiththeirgirls。
　　"AndhaveyousaidanythingtoFannyaboutthis？"askedMr。Damer。
　　"Yes，sir，Ihaveherpermissiontospeaktoyou。"
　　"Godblessmysoul！"saidMr。Damer；andbythistimetheyhadarrivedatShepheard’sHotel。
　　"Oh，mamma，"saidFanny，assoonasshefoundherselfalonewithhermotherthatevening，"IhavesomethingthatImusttellyou。"
　　"Oh，Fanny，don’ttellmeanythingto—night，forIamagreatdealtootiredtolisten。"
　　"Butoh，mamma，pray；——youmustlistentothis；indeedyoumust。"AndFannykneltdownathermother’sknee，andlookedbeseechinglyupintoherface。
　　"Whatisit，Fanny？Youknowthatallmybonesaresore，andIamsotiredthatIamalmostdead。"
　　"Mamma，Mr。Ingramhas——"
　　"Haswhat，mydear？hashedoneanythingwrong？"
　　"No，mamma：buthehas；——hehasproposedtome。"AndFanny，burstingintotears，hidherfaceinhermother’slap。
　　Andthusthestorywastoldonbothsidesofthehouse。Onthenextday，asamatterofcourse，allthedifficultiesanddangersofsuchamarriageasthatwhichwasnowprojectedwereinsistedonbybothfatherandmother。Itwasimproper；itwouldcauseaseveringofthefamilynottobethoughtof；itwouldbeanallianceofadangerousnature，andnotatallcalculatedtoinsurehappiness；and，inshort，itwasimpossible。Onthatday，therefore，theyallwenttobedveryunhappy。Butonthenextday，aswasalsoamatterofcourse，seeingthattherewerenopecuniarydifficulties，themotherandfatherweretalkedover，andMr。Ingramwasacceptedasason—in—law。ItneedhardlybesaidthattheofferofaplaceinMr。Damer’sboatwasagainmade，andthatonthisoccasionitwasacceptedwithouthesitation。
　　TherewasanAmericanProtestantclergymanresidentinCairo，withwhom，amongotherpersons，MissDawkinshadbecomeacquainted。UponthisgentlemanoruponhiswifeMissDawkinscalledafewdaysafterthejourneytothePyramid，andfindinghiminhisstudy，thusperformedherdutytoherneighbour，—
　　"YouknowyourcountrymanMr。Ingram，Ithink？"saidshe。
　　"Oh，yes；veryintimately。"
　　"Ifyouhaveanyregardforhim，Mr。Burton，"suchwasthegentleman’sname，"Ithinkyoushouldputhimonhisguard。"
　　"Onhisguardagainstwhat？"saidMr。Burtonwithaseriousair，fortherewassomethingseriousinthethreatofimpendingmisfortuneasconveyedbyMissDawkins。
　　"Why，"saidshe，"thoseDamers，Ifear，aredangerouspeople。"
　　"Doyoumeanthattheywillborrowmoneyofhim？"
　　"Oh，no；notthat，exactly；buttheyareclearlysettingtheircapathim。"
　　"Settingtheircapathim？"
　　"Yes；thereisadaughter，youknow；alittlechitofathing；andI
　　fearMr。Ingrammaybecaughtbeforeheknowswhereheis。Itwouldbesuchapity，youknow。Heisgoinguptheriverwiththem，Ihear。
　　That，inhisplace，isveryfoolish。Theyaskedme，butIpositivelyrefused。"
　　Mr。Burtonremarkedthat"InsuchamatterasthatMr。Ingramwouldbeperfectlyabletotakecareofhimself。"
　　"Well，perhapsso；butseeingwhatwasgoingon，Ithoughtitmydutytotellyou。"AndsoMissDawkinstookherleave。
　　Mr。IngramdidgouptheNilewiththeDamers，asdidanoldfriendoftheDamerswhoarrivedfromEngland。Andaverypleasanttriptheyhadofit。And，asfarasthepresenthistorianknows，thetwoloverswereshortlyafterwardsmarriedinEngland。
　　PoorMissDawkinswasleftinCairoforsometimeonherbeamends。
　　Butshewasoneofthosewhoarenoteasilyvanquished。AfteranintervaloftendaysshemadeacquaintancewithanIrishfamily——havingutterlyfailedinmovingthehardheartofM。Delabordeau——andwiththesesheproceededtoConstantinople。Theyconsistedoftwobrothersandasister，andwere，therefore，veryconvenientformatrimonialpurposes。Butnevertheless，whenIlastheardofMissDawkins，shewasstillanunprotectedfemale。