\"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。