第5章

VI

BABYANDJEW

WhenthePenny-farthingShopbegantofillGregoriodisappearedquietlybythebackdoor。Hemutteredahalf-unintelligibleanswertothemenwhowereplayingcardsinthedimparlourthroughwhichhehadtopass，whocalledtohimtojointhem。Gainingthestreet，hewanderedalongtillhereachedthebazaars，intendingtowasteanhourortwountilXantippeshouldhaveleftthehouse。Thenhedeterminedtogobackandseetheboyinwhomallhishopesandambitionswerecentered，whowastheunconsciouscauseofhisvillainyanddegradation。

Therewasalargecrowdinthebazaars，foraMoolidwasbeingcelebrated。Jugglers，snake-charmers，mountebanks，gipsies，anddancing-girlsattractedhundredsofspectators。

Theoldmensatintheshadowsoftheirstalls，smokinganddrinkingcoffee。Theysmiledgravelyattheyoungerpeople，whojostledoneanothergood-humouredly，laughing，singing，quarrellinglikechildren。

Acrosstheroadwayhunglampsofcolouredglassandtinyredflagsstampedwithawhitecrescentandastar。Torchesblazedatintervals，castingaflickeringglowontheexcitedfacesofthecrowd。

Gregoriowatchedwithoutmuchinterest。HehadseenagreatmanyfantasiassincehecametoEgypt，andtheywerenolongeranoveltytohim。Hewasannoyedthataraceofpeoplewhomhedespisedshouldbesomerrywhenhehimselfhadsomanytroublestoworryhim。Hewouldhavelikedtogointooneoftheboothswherethegirlsdanced，buthehadnomoney，andhecursedathisstupidityinnotaskingtheMarxwomanforsome。Henolongerfeltashamedofhimself，forhearguedthathewasthevictimofcircumstances。StillhewishedXantippehadnotlookedoutofthewindow，thoughofcoursehecouldeasilyexplainthingstoher。AndXantippewasreallysoangrythenightbefore，explanationswerebetterpostponedforatime。"Afterall，"hethought，"itreallydoesnotmuchmatter。Oncewegetoverourpresentdifficultiesweshallforgetallwehavegonethrough。"Thiscomfortablereflectionhadbeendoingdutyprettyoftenthelastdayortwo，andthoughGregoriodidnotbelieveitabit，healwaysfeltitwasasatisfactoryconclusion，andonetobeencouraged。

MeanwhilehewouldnotmeetXantippe。Thatwasapointuponwhichhehaddefinitelymadeuphismind。Ashestrolledthroughthebazaars，puttingintoorderhisvagabondthoughts，inatallfigureafewyardsinfrontofhimherecognisedAmos。Nervous，hehalted，forhehadnodesiretobeinterviewedbytheJew，andyetnowayofescapeseemedpossible。

Noddingaffablytotheproprietor，hesatdownonthefloorofashophardbyandwatchedAmos。Theoldmanwasevidentlyinterested，forhewaslaughingpleasantly，andbendingdowntolookatsomethingontheground。WhatitwasGregoriocouldnotsee。Aknotofpeople，alsolaughing，surroundedtheJew。Gregoriowascurioustoseewhatattractedthem，butfearfulofbeingrecognisedbytheoldman。

However，afterafewmomentshisimpatiencemasteredhim，andhesteppeduptothegroup。

"Whatisit？"heaskedoneofthebystanders。

"Onlyababy。It’slost，Ithink。"

Gregoriopushedhiswayintothecentreofthecrowdandsuddenlybecamewhiteasdeath。

There，seatedontheground，washisownchild，laughingandtalkingtohimselfinaqueermixtureofGreekandArabic。Amoswasbendingkindlyovertheyoungster，givinghimcakesandsweets，andmakinginquiriesastotheparents。

AchillfearseizedonGregorio’sheart。Hecouldnothaveexplainedthecause，nordidhestayandtrytoexplainit。Quicklyhebrokeintothemidstofthecircleand，catchinguptheboyinhisarms，ranswiftlyaway。

Havingreachedhome，hekissedtheboypassionately，sentforfoodtoMadamMarx，andweptandlaughedhystericallyforanhour。Afteratimetheboyslept，andGregoriothenpacedupanddowntheroom，smoking，andpuffinggreatcloudsofsmokefromhismouth，tryingtocalmhimself。Buthecouldnotthrowoffhisexcitement。Heimaginedtheawfulhome-cominghadhenotbeentothebazaar，andhewonderedwhathewouldhavedonethen。Agreatjoypossessedhimtoseehissonsafe，andafiercedesirefilledhimtoknowwhohadtakenthechildaway。HelongedforXantippe’sreturnthathemighttellher。Heforgotcompletelythathehaddreadedseeingherearlierthisevening。

ThenhebegantowonderwhatAmoswasdoingatthefantasia，andwhyhewassointerestedintheboy。Perhaps，Amoswouldforgivethedebtforloveofthechild。Theideapleasedhim，buthesooncametounderstandthatitwasuntenable。Oftener，indeed，heshudderedasherecalledtheoldman’sfigurebentovertheinfant。Asenseofdangertocomeoverwhelmedhim。Insomewayhefeltthattheoldmanandthechildweretobebroughttogethertoworkhis，Gregorio’s，ruin。

Suddenlyheheardafootsteponthestairs。"ThankGod！"hecried，asherantothedoor。

"Xantippe！"

Butherecoiledasifshot，forasthedooropenedAmosentered。TheJewbowedpolitelytotheGreek，buttherewasanunpleasanttwinkleinhiseyesashespoke。

"Youcannotoffermeaseat，myfriend，soIwillstand。Wehavemetalreadythisevening。"

Gregoriodidnotanswer，butplacedhimselfbetweentheJewandthechild。

"Idaresayyoudidnotseeme，"theoldmancontinued，quietly，"foryouseemedexcited。Isupposethechildisyours。Itwassurelycarelesstolethimstraysofarfromhome。"

"Thechildismine。"

"Ah，well，itisahappychancethatyourecoveredhimsoeasily。Andnowtobusiness。"

"Iamlistening。"

"Ihavealready，asofcourseyouknow，beenheretoseeyouaboutthemoneyyouoweme。Iwassorryyoudidnotseefittopayme，becauseI

hadtosellyourfurniture，anditwasnotworthmuch。"

"Ihavenomoneytopayyou，orIwouldhavepaidyoulongago。ItoldyouwhenIwenttoyourhousethatIcouldnotpayyou。"

"Andyet，myfriend，itisonlyfairthatamanwhoborrowsmoneyshouldbepreparedtopayitback。"

"Icouldpayyoubackifyougavemetime。Butyouhavenoheart，youJews。Whatdoyoucareifwestarve，solongas——"

"Hush！"saidAmos，gravely；"Ihavedealtfairlybyyou。ButIwillletyougofreeononecondition。"

"Andthatis？"

"Thatyougivemethechild。"

Gregoriostoodspeechlesswithhorrorandrageatthewindow，andtheoldmanwalkedacrosstheroomtowheretheinfantlay。

"Ihavenoyoungson，GregorioLivadas，andIwilltakeyours。NotonlywillIforgiveyouthedebt，butIwillgiveyoumoney。Iwantthechild。"

"ByGod，youshallnottouchhim！"criedGregorio，suddenlyfindingvoiceforhispassion。

HerushedfuriouslyatAmos，grippedhimbythethroat，andflunghimtothefarsideoftheroom。Thenhestoodbyhischildwithhisarmsfoldedonhisbreast，hiseyesflashingandhisnostrilsdilated。Amosquicklyrecoveredhimself，and，inavoicethatscarcelytrembled，againdemandedhismoney。

"Goaway，"shoutedGregorio；"ifyoucomehereagain，Iwillkillyou。

TwicenowhaveIsavedmyboyfromfallingintoyourhands。"

"Iwishonlytodoyouaservice。Youareabeggar，andIamrichenough，askHeaven，tolookafterthechild。WhyshouldyouabusemebecauseIoffertoreleaseyoufromyourdebtsifyouwillletmetakethechild？"

GregorioansweredbrusquelythattheJewshouldnottouchtheboy。"I

willnothavehimmadeaJew。"

"Thenyouwillpayme。"

"Iwillnot。Icannot。"

"Ishalltakemeasures，myfriend，toforceyoutopayme。Ihavenotdealtharshlywithyou。Icameheretohelpyou，andyouhaveinsultedmeandbeatenme。"

"BecauseyouareadogofaJew，andyouhavetriedtostealmyson。"

AnastylookcameintotheJew’seyes，——acold，cunninglook，——andhewasabouttoreplywhenthedooropenedandXantippeentered。Shewaswelldressed，andworesomeornamentsofgold。Amosturnedtowardher，askingtheman：

"Thisisyourwife？"

ButGregoriotoldXantipperapidlythehistoryofhisadventureswiththeboy；andthewoman，hearingthem，movedquietlytothecornerwhereheslept，andtookhiminherarms。

TheJewsmiled。"Isee，"hesaid，"thatmadamhasmoney。ShehastakentheadviceIgaveyoutheotherday。NowIknowthatyoucanpayme，andifyoudonotwithintwodays，GregorioLivadas，youwillrepenttheinsultsyouhaveheapedonmyheadthisnight。"

Hewalkedquietlytothecorneroftheroom，whereXantippesatnursingtheboy，touchedthechildgentlyontheforeheadwithhislips，andthenwentout。

ForsomeminutesneitherXantippenorGregoriospoke，butthemanrubbedtheinfant’sforeheadwithhisfingerasiftowipeoutthestainoftheJew’skiss。

VII

XANTIPPESPEAKSOUT

Atlastthesilence，rousedonlybythestridentbuzzingofthemosquitos，becameunendurable。Gregoriogaveapreparatorycoughandopenedhislipstospeak，butthewordsrefusedtobeborn。Hewasunnerved。Theodiousvisitor，thewearyingday，thememoryofXantippe’sfaceatthewindow，combinedtomakehimfearful。Hewatched，underhishalf-closedlids，hiswifecrouchingonthefarsideoftheboy。Onceortwice，ashewasrubbingtheyoungster’sforehead，hisfingerstouchedthoseofhiswifeasshewavedoffthemosquitos；butateachcontactwiththemheshiveredandhisfearsincreased。Hetried，vainly，togethisthoughtsstraight，andlitacigarettewithapparentcalmness，swaggeringtothewindow；buthislegsdidnotceasetotremble，andtheunsteadinessofhisgaitcausedXantippetosmileasshewatchedhim。Restingbythewindow，Gregoriowidenedthelipsofthelatticeandletinastreamofmoonbeamsthatrestedonwifeandchild，illuminingthedarkcorner。

"Gregorio！"

"Yes。"

"Haveyoutoldmeall？IstherenothingelsetotellemaboutoursonandtheJew？"

Gregoriofelthemustnowspeak；itwasnotpossibletokeepsilencelonger。Hewaspleasedthathiswifehadbeguntheconversation，foritseemedeasiertoanswerquestionsthantoframethem。"Ihavetoldyouthewholestory。Thereisnomoretotell。ItwasbyaccidentI

foundhiminthebazaar，andthatdevilAmoswasbendingoverhim。I

couldkillthatman。"

"Whatgoodwouldthatdo？"

"Fancyifwehadlosttheboy！Thinkofthesacrificeswehavemadeforhim，andtheywouldhavebeenuseless。"

"Haveyoumadeanysacrifices，Gregorio？"

Thequestionwasquietlyasked，buttherewasaringofironyinthesoundofthevoice，andGregorio，toshunhiswife’sgaze，movedintothefriendlyshadows。Forsomeminuteshedidnotanswer。Atlength，withanervouslaugh，hereplied：

"Ofcourse。Wehavebothmadesacrifices，greatsacrifices。"

"Itisodd，"pursuedXantippe，gently，asifspeakingtoherself，"thatyoushouldsoflatteryourself。Youprofessedtocareformeonce；youonlyregardmenowasaslavetoearnmoneyforyou。"

"Itisforourson’ssake。"

"Isitforourson’ssakealsothatyousitwithMadamMarx，thatyoudrinkherwine，thatyoukissher？"

Gregoriocouldnotanswer。Hefeltitwereuselesstotryandexplain，thoughthereasonseemedtohimclearenough。

"Iamgladtohavethechance，"continuedXantippe，"oftalkingtoyou，forwemaynowunderstandeachother。Ihavemadethegreatestsacrifice，andbecauseitwasforourson’ssakeIforgaveyou。I

wept，but，asIwept，Isaid，’ItishellforGregoriotoo。’ButwhenIlookedfromthewindowthisafternoonIknewitwasnothellforyou。Iknewyoudidnotcarewhatbecameofme。ItwaspleasantforyoutosendmeawaytomakemoneywhileyoudrankandkissedatthePenny-farthingShop。Icamesuddenlytoknowthatthemanhadspokentruth。"

"Whatman？"askedGregorio，huskily。

"Theman！Themanyoubademefind。Becausemoneyisnotgatheredfromthepavements。Youknowthat，andyousentmeouttogetmoney。WhenI

firstcamebacktoyouIflungthegoldatyou；itburnedmyfingers，andyoureagernessforitstung。ButIdidnotquitehateyou，thoughhiswordshadbeguntochimeinmyears：’Inmycountrysuchahusbandwouldbehorsewhipped。’WhenyouwerekindIwaslittlemorethanadogyoulikedtopet。Ithoughtthatwashowallwomenweretreated。I

knowdifferentlynow。Youwillearnmoneythroughme，foritismydutytomyson，butyouhaveearnedsomethingelse。"

"Yes？"queriedGregorio。

"Myhate。Surelyyouarenotsurprised？Ihavelearnedwhatloveistheselastfewdays，havelearnedwhatarealmanislike。Iknowyoutobewhathecalledyou，acurandacoward。Ishouldneverhavelearnedthisbutforyou，andIamgrateful，verygrateful。Itisuselesstoswearandtothreatenmewithyourfists。Youdarenotstrikeme，because，wereyoutoinjureme，youwouldloseyourmoney。

Youhavetriedtodegrademe，andyouhavefailed。IamhappierthanI

haveeverbeen，andfar，farwiser。Whenawomanlearnswhataman’sloveis，shebecomeswiserinadaythanifshehadstudiedbooksforahundredyears。"

Xantippeceasedspeakingand，takinghersoninherarms，closedhereyesandfellasleepquietly，agentlesmilehoveringroundherlips。

Gregorioscowledathersavagely，andwouldhavelikedtostrikeher，tobeatouthispassiononherwhitebreastandshoulders。Butshehadspokenonlythetruthwhenshesaidhedarenottouchher。Withimpotentoathshesoughttoletofftheangerthatboiledinhim。Hefearedtothink，andeverywordshehadutteredmadehimthinkinspiteofhimself。Theeventsofsixtyhourshaddestroyedwhatlittleofgoodtherewasintheman。Saveonlytheidolatrousloveforhischild，hescarcelyretainedoneennoblingquality。

Littlebylittlehisangercooled，hisshamediedoutofhim，andhebegantowondercuriouslywhatmannerofmanthiswaswhosewordshadsostirredhiswife。Wonderinghefellasleep，nordidheawakentillthesunwasrisen。

Whileeatinghisbreakfastheinquiredcunninglyconcerningthiswiseteacherofthegospelsofloveandhate，butXantippeforatimedidnotanswer。

"IsheaGreek？"

"No。"

"AFrenchman？"

"No。"

"AGerman？"

"No。"

SuddenlyGregoriofeltakindofcrampathisheart，andhehadtopausebeforeheputthenextquestion。Hecouldscarcelyexplainwhyhehesitated，buthecalledtomindtheParadisecafeandthered-

facedEnglishman。Hewasreadyenoughtosacrificehiswifeifbysodoingmoneymightbegained，buthefeltsomehowhurtinhisvanityattheideaofthisugly，slow-wittedNorthernerusurpinghisplace。Withaneffort，however，heputthequestion：

"IsheanEnglishman？"

"Yes。"

Hewasseizedwithatumultofanger。Hespokevolubly，talkingoftheignoranceoftheEnglish，theirbrutality，theirdullbrains，theirstupidpride。Xantippewaitedtillhehadfinishedspeakingandthenrepliedquietly：

"Itcannotmattertoyou。Itismyconcern。Youhavelostallrightstobeangrywithmeorthoseconnectedwithme。"

Gregoriorefusedtohearreason，andexplainedhowhebegrudgedthemtheirwealthandfame。"FortheseEnglishareadullpeople，andweGreeksaregreatlysuperior。"

"Idonotagreewithyou，"Xantippereplied。"IhavelearnedwhatamanissinceIhaveknownhim，andIhavelearnedtohateyou。Youmayhavemorebrains——thatIknownothingof，nordoIcare。Hecouldnotbehaveasyouhavebehaved，norhavesacrificedmeasyouhavesacrificedme。Someofhismoneycomestoyou。Youwantmoney。Besatisfied。"

Gregoriofeltthejusticeofherwords，andhewatchedherputonherhatandleavetheroom。Aminutelater，lookingoutofthewindow，hesawherlinkherarminthatoftheEnglishmanoftheParadiso，andacrossthestreet，atthethresholdofthePenny-farthingShop，MadamMarxwavedherhandtohimselfandlaughed。

VIII

ADESOLATEHOME-COMING

Towardtheeveningofadayafortnightlater，GregoriofoundhimselfseatedinMadamMarx’scafe，idlywatchingthepassers-by。Hewasfeelinghappier，forthatwasbeingamassedwhichalonecouldinsurehappinesstohim。Eachdaysomegoldenpieceswereaddedtotheamountsaved，andthecafeatBenhurseemedalmostwithinhisgrasp。Thefeelingofsecurityfromwantactedasanarcoticandsoothedhim，sothatthethingswhichshouldhavetroubledhimscarcelyinterestedhimatall。Hewasintoxicatedwiththesightofgold。WhenhehadfirstseenXantippeandtheEnglishmantogetherhisangerhadbeenviolent；

butwhenatlastthefutilityofhisragebecamecertain，hisaggressivepassionhadsoftenedtoasmoulderingdiscontentthathardlyworriedhim，unlessheheardsomeonespeakaBritishname。Hisprosperityhaddestroyedthelastvestigesofshameandsoothedhisillogicaloutburstsoffury。HewascontentedenoughnowtositalldaywithMadamMarx，andreturnedtohishomeintheeveningwhenXantippewasaway。Hehadspokentoheronlyoncesinceshehadtoldhimshehatedhim。Hehadstrolledoutofthecafeaboutmiddayandenteredhisroom。Xantippewasthere，talkingtoherchild，andquietlybadehimgoaway。

"It’smyroomaswellasyours，"Gregoriohadanswered。

"Itismymoneythatpaysforit，"wasthereply。

Alongconversationfollowed，butXantippemettheman’scoarseangerwithquietscorn，andtoldhimthatifhestayedshewouldgrowtodislikehersonsincehewasthefather。

Gregoriowaswiseenoughtocontrolhisangerthen。Forheknewthatifshewerereallytoloseherlovefortheboy，allhischances，andtheboy’schances，ofeaseandprosperitywouldbedestroyed。Itwas，ofcourse，ridiculoustoimagineshewouldsupplyhimwithmoneythen。

Thatshethoroughlyloathedhim，andwouldalwaysloathehim，wasverycertain。Sogreat，indeed，seemedhercontemptforhimthatitwasquitepossibleshemightcometohatehischild。Sohedidnotattempttoremainintheroom，butasheclosedthedoorafterhimhewaitedamomentandlistened。Heheardherheaveasighofreliefandthensaytothelittlefellow，"Howlikeyourfatheryougrow！MyGod！IalmostthinkIhateyouforbeingsolikehim。"Gregorioshudderedasherannoiselesslydownstairs。Heneverventuredtospeaktoheragain。Hearguedhimselfoutofthedisquietintowhichherwordshadthrownhim。Heknewitwasdifficultforawomantohateherchild。Thebirth-painscementaloveitrequiresaharshwrenchtosever。Heeasilypersuadedhimself，ashesippedMadamMarx’scoffee，thatifhekeptinthebackgroundallcauseforhatredwouldberemoved。Asforherfeelingstowardhimself，hehadceased，almost，tocare。Themoneywasworththecostpaidintheattainmentofit，andawoman’slaughwaslesssweettohimthanthechinkofgoldandsilverpieces。OnthewholeGregoriohadlittlereasontobetroubled；onlyunreasoningdislikefortheEnglishman——whycouldnothebeofanyothernation，or，ifanEnglishman，anyotherEnglishman？——hurthispeaceofmind。

Andforthemostparthisdiscontentonlysmouldered。

MadamMarxbroughthercoffeeandsatbesidehim。Herfacebetokenedsatisfaction，andshelookedatGregoriowithapossessivesmile。Shehadgainedherdesire，andaskedfortunefornoothergift。

"YouhavenotseenXantippesincesheturnedyouout？Ah，well，itismuchbetteryoushouldkeepaway。Youarewelcomehere，anditisfoolishtogowhereoneisnotwanted。"

"I’venotseenher；I’mafraidtoseeher。"Hespokeopenlytomadamnow。

"Somewomenarequeer。Ifshehadeverreallylovedyou，shewouldnothavethrownyouover。IshouldnothavecomplainedhadIbeeninherplace。Onecannotalwayschooseone’slot。"

"It’sthatdamnedEnglishmanwhohasspoiledher。"

"Ah，yes，thoseEnglish！Iknowthem。"

"DidItellyouwhatshesaidabouttheboy？"

"Yes，myfriend。Butaslongasyoudon’tworryher，herwordsneednotworryyou。"

"Theydon’t，exceptsometimesatnight。Iwakeupandrememberthem，andthenIamafraid。"

"WhydoyouhatetheEnglishman？TomyminditisluckyforbothofyouthatthisEnglishmansawher。TherearenotmensorichastheEnglish，andheisarichEnglishman。Youarelucky。"

"Ihatehim。"

"Becausehehasstolenyourwife’slove？"MadamMarx，assheputthequestion，laidherfathanduponGregorio’sshoulderandlaughedconfidently。Themovementirritatedhim，buthenevertriedtoresisthernow。

"No，notquitethat。I’musedtoit，andthemoneymorethancompensatesme。ButIhatedthemanwhenIfirstsawhimintheParadise。Therewasafiddler-womanhetalkedto，andhecouldscarcelymakehimselfunderstood。Hehadmoney，andhegaveherchampagneandflowers。AndIwasstarving，andthewomanwasbeautiful。"

Madamtappedhischeekandsmiled。

"Thewomancan’tinterestyounow。Alsoyouhavemoney——hismoney。"

"StillIhatehim。"

"YouGreeksarelikechildren。Yourhatredisunreasonable；thereisnocauseforit。"

"Unreasonableandnottobereasonedaway。"

"Well，whyworryabouthim？Hewon’tfollowyoutoBenhur，Ifancy。"

"Itdoesn’tworrymegenerally；butwhenyoumentionhimmyhatespringsupagain。IforgethimwhenIambymyself。"

"Forgethimnow。"

Andtheydrankcoffeeinsilence。

Darknesscameon，andthebluenightmist。Gregoriowasimpatienttoseehisson。Hegazedintentlyatthedooroftheoppositehouse，littleheedingmadam，whowasbusywithpreparationsfortheevening’sentertainmentofhercustomers。Suddenlyhesawawomanleavethehouse，hailapassingcarriage，anddriverapidlydownthestreettowardthePlaceMehemetAli。Gregorio，withacryofpleasure，roseandleftthecafe。MadamMarxfollowedhimtothedoorandcalledagood-nighttohim。Gregoriostoodirresolutelyinthemiddleoftheroad。Hehadpromisedtheboyaboat，andheblamedhimselfforhavingforgottentobuyit。Grumblingathisforgetfulness，hehurriedalongthestreet，determinedtowastenotime。Onoccasionshecouldrelinquishhislazy，slouchinggait，andhewouldhurryalwaystoobeythecommandsofthekinghisson。Apleasantsmileatthethoughtofthepleasurehispresentwouldcausesoftenedthesinistermouldofhislips，andhesangsoftlytohimselfashemovedquicklycityward。

Beforehehadgonemanyyardsanoathbrokeinuponthemusic，andhedartedswiftlyundertheshadowofawall；forcomingforwardhimwasAmostheJew。Buttheoldman’ssharpeyesdetectedthevictim，and，followingGregoriointohishiding-place，AmoslaidhishandupontheGreek。

"Whydoyoutrytohidewhenwehavesomuchtosaytooneanother？"

GregorioshookhimselffromtheJew’stouchandprofessedignoranceofthenecessityforspeech。

"Come，come，myfriend，themoneyyouborrowedisstillowinginpart。"

"Butyouwillbepaid。Wearesavingmoney；wecannotputbyallweearn——wemustlive。"

"Iwillbepaidnow；ifIamnot，youaretoblamefortheconsequences。"

AndwithacourtlysalutetheJewpassedon。NowGregoriohadnotforgottenhisdebt，northeJew’sthreats，andhefullyintendedtopaywhatheowed。Butofcourseitwouldtaketime，andthemanwastooimpatient。Herealisedhehadbeenfoolishnottopaysomethingonaccount；butithurthimtopartwithgold。Hedetermined，however，tosendAmossomethingwhenhereturnedhome。Sogoodawatchhadbeenkept，heneverdoubtedthechild’ssafety。ButitwouldbeawkwardifAmosgothimputinjail。Sohereckoneduphowmuchhecouldaffordtopay，and，havingboughtthetoy，returnedeagerlyhome。Heranupstairs，singingabarcaroleatthetopofhisvoice，andrushedintotheroom，wavingthemodelshipabovehishead。"Seehere，"hecried，"istheship！Ihavenotforgottenit。"Buthisshoutfelltoawhisper。Theroomwasempty。

Withaheartbrokensobthemanfellswooningonthefloor。

IX

ADISCOVERYANDACONSPIRACY

Forlonghelaystretchedoutuponthefloorinastateofhalf-

consciousness。Hecouldhearthemosquitosbuzzingabouthisface，hecouldhear，too，thesoundsofliferiseupfromthestreetbelow；buthewasabletomoveneitherarmnorleg，andhisheadseemedfastenedtothefloorbyimmovableleadenweights。Thathissonwaslostwasallheunderstood。

Howlonghelaytherehescarcelyknew，butitseemedtohimweeks。Atlastheheardfootstepsonthestairs。Heendeavouredvainlytoraisehimself，and，thoughhestrovetocryout，histonguerefusedtoframethewords。Lyingthere，livingandyetlifeless，hesawthedooropenandAmosenter。Theoldmanhesitatedamoment，fortheroomwasdark，whileGregorio，whohadeasilyrecognisedhisvisitor，layimpotentonthefloor。BeforeAmoscouldbecomeusedtothedarknessthedooragainopened，andMadamMarxenteredwithalampinherhand。Amosturnedtoseewhohadfollowedhim，and，inturning，hisfootstruckagainstGregorio’sbody。Immediately，thewomancryingsoftly，bothvisitorskneltbesidethesickman。AfiercelookblazedinGregorio’seyes，butthestrongwordsofabusethathurriedthroughhisbrainwouldnotbesaid。

"Heisveryill，"saidAmos；"hehashadastrokeofsomesort。"

"Helpmetocarryhimtomyhouse，"sobbedthewoman，andshekissedtheGreek’squiveringlipandpallidbrow。Thenrisingtoherfeet，sheturnedsavagelyontheJew。

"Itisyourfault。Itisyouwhohavekilledhim。"

"Nay，madam；Ihadcalledhereformymoney，andIhadarighttodoso。Ithasbeenowingforalongtime。"

"No；youhavekilledhim。"

"Indeed，Iwishedhimwell。Iwaswillingtoforgivethedebtifhewouldletmetakethechild。"

AhorridlookofagonypassedoverGregorio’sface，butheremainedsilentandmotionless。Thewatcherssawthatheunderstoodandthatatempestofwrathandpainsurgedwithinthelifelessbody。TheystoopeddownandcarriedhimdownstairsandacrosstheroadtothePenny-farthingShop。TheJew’stouchburnedGregoriolikehotembers，buthecouldnotshakehimselffree。Whenhewaslaidonabedinaroomabovethebar，throughthefloorofwhichrosediscordantsoundsofrevelry，Amosleftthem。MadamMarxflungherselfonthebedbesidehimandwept。

TwodayslaterGregoriosat，atsunset，byMadamMarx’sside，onthethresholdofthecafe。Hehadrecoveredspeechanduseoflimbs。Withwrathfuleloquencehehadtoldhiscompanionthehistoryoftheterriblenight，andnowsatweavingplotsinhismaddenedbrain。

ReplyingtohisassertionthatAmoswasresponsible，MadamMarxsaid：

"Don’tbetooimpetuous，Gregorio。Searchcunninglybeforeyoustrike。

Maybeyourwifeknowssomething。"

"Mywife！Notshe；sheiswithherEnglishman。Amoshasstolentheboy，andyouknowitaswellasIdo。Didn’thetellyouhewantedthechild？Imethimthatnight，andhetoldmeifIdidnotpayIhadonlymyselftoblameforthetroublethatwouldfallonme。"

"Come，come，Gregorio，cheerup！"saidthewoman；fortheGreek，withheadrestingonhishands，wassobbingviolently。

"Itellyou，allIcaredforinlifeistakenfromme。ButIwillhavemyrevenge，thatItellyoutoo。"

Forawhiletheysatsilent，lookingintothestreet。AtlastGregoriospoke：

"Mywifehasnotreturnedsincethatnight，hasshe？"

"Ihavenotseenher。"

"Well，Imustseeher；shecanleavetheEnglishmannow。"

MadamMarxlaughedalittle，butsaidnothing。

"ThereisAhmed，"criedGregorio，asablue-cladfigurepassedontheothersideofthestreet。HebeckonedtotheArab，whocameacrossathissummons。

"Youseemtroubled，"hesaid，ashelookedintotheGreek’sface；andGregorioretoldtheterriblestory。

"Youknownothingofallthis？"headded，suspiciously，ashisnarrativeended。

"Nothing。"

"MyGod！itissoawfulIthoughtalltheworldknewofit。Youoftennursedandplayedwiththeboy？"

"Ay，andfedhim。WeArabslovechildren，evenChristianchildren，andIwillhelpyouifIcan。"

"WhyshouldAmoswanttheboy？"askedMadamMarx，assheputcoffeeandtobaccobeforetheguests。

"BecauseIowehimmoney，andheknewthelossofmysonwouldbethedeadliestrevenge。HewillmakemysonaJew，abeastlyJew。ByGod，heshallnot，heshallnot！"

"Wemustfindhimandsavehim，"saidthewoman。

"HewillneverbeaJew。ThatisnotwhatAmoswantsyoursonfor；

thereareplentyofJews。"Ahmedspokequietly。

"Theysacrificechildren，"hecontinued，afteramoment’spause；

"surelyyouknowthat，andifyouwouldsaveyourboythereisnotmuchtimetolose。"

GregoriotrembledatAhmed’swords。Hewonderedhowhecouldhaveforgottenthecommonreport，andhisfingersgraspedconvulsivelythehandleofhisknife。

"LetusgotoAmos，"hesaid，speakingthewordswithdifficulty，forhewaschokingwithfearforhisson。

"Wait，"answeredtheArab；"Iwillcomeagainto-nightandbringsomefriendswithme，twomenwhowillbegladtoserveyou。WeArabsarenotsorrytostrikeattheJews；wehaveourownwrongs。WaitheretillIcome。"

"Butwhatwillyoudo？"askedMadamMarx，lookinganxiouslyonthemansheloved，thoughherwordswerefortheArab。

"Gregoriowillaskforhisson。Iftheoldmanrefusestorestorehim，ordeniesthathehastakenhim，thenwewillknowtheworst，andthen——"

Gregorio’sknife-bladeglitteredinthesunsetrays，ashetesteditssharpnessbetweenthumbandfinger。TheArabwatchedwithasmile。"Weunderstandoneanother，"hesaid。Therewasnoneedtofinishthedescriptionofhisplan。Withasolemnwaveofhishandheleftthecafe。

"ThatmanAhmed，"saidMadamMarx，"hasagrudgeagainstAmos。Itdatesfromthebombardment，andhehadwaitedalltheseyearstoavengehimself。Ibelieveitwasthelossofhiswife。"

"AmosmadeheraJewess，eh？"Andthen，afterapause，Gregorioadded：

"SowecandependonAhmed。To-nightIwillwinbackmysonor——"

"Or？"queriedmadam，tremblingly。

"OrAmosstartsonhisjourneytohell。God，howmyfingersitchtoslayhim！Thedevil，theJewdevil！"

X

ATTHEHOUSEOFAMOS

AsAhmedhadadvised，Gregoriosettledhimselfpatientlytoawaitthesummons。Madamwouldhavelikedtoaskhimmanyquestions，andtohaveextractedapromisefromhimnottoriskhislifeinanymadenterprisehisaccomplicemightsuggest。ButthoughtheGreek’sbodyseemedalmostlifeless，soquietlyandimmovablyherestedonhischair，therewasarestlesslookinhiseyesthattoldherhowfiercelyandirrepressiblyhisangerburned。Sheknewenoughofhisracetoknowthatnopoweronearthcouldstophimstrikingforrevenge。Andshetrembled，forsheknewalsothatdirectlyhehadbeguntostrikehismadnesswouldincrease，andthatonlysheerphysicalexhaustionwouldstayhishand。

MadamMarxwasunhappy，andasshewaitedonhercustomershereyesrestedcontinuallyontheGreek，whoheededhernot。Onceshecarriedsomewinetohim，andhedrankeagerly，spillingafewdropsonthefloorfirst。"It’slikeblood，"hemuttered，andsmiled。Madamhastilycoveredhismouthwithhertremblingfingers。

JustbeforemidnightAhmedarrivedwithhistwofriends。Gregoriosawthematonce，and，callingthemtohim，theyspoketogetherinlowvoicesforafewmoments。Therewaslittleneedforwords，andsoon，scarcelynoticedbythedrinkersandgamblers，theypassedoutintothestreetandwalkedslowlytowardtheJew’shouse。Ahmedrapidlyrepeatedtheplanofaction。WhentheyreachedthedoortheystoodforamomentbeforetheywoketheArab，andthesewordspassedbetweenthem：

"Forawife。"

"Forasister。"

"Forason。"

Gregoriothendemandedadmittanceandledtheway，followedbyhisthreefriends。HehadvisitedthehouseofAmosbefore，onlessbloodybutlessdelightfulbusiness，andhedidnothesitate，butstrodeontowhereheknewtheJewwouldbe。Hiscompanionsstoodbehindthecurtain，awaitingthesignal。

AmoslookedsomewhatsurprisedattheGreek’sentrance，butmotionedhimtoaseat，and，asontheoccasionofhisfirstvisit，clappedhishandstogetherasasignalthatcoffeeandpipeswererequired。

"Itiskindofyoutocome，fordoubtlessyouwishtopaymewhatisowing。"

"Iwishtopayyou。"

"Thatiswell。Ihopeyouarebetteragain。Iregrettedtofindyousoilltwonightsago。"

"Iambetter。"

Theconversationceased，forGregoriowasrestlessandhisfingersitchedtodotheirwork。SomethinginhismanneralarmedAmos，forhesummonedintwoofhisservantsandraisedhimselfslightly，asifthebettertoavoidanattack。Buthecontinuedtosmokecalmly，watchingtheGreekunderhishalf-closedlids。

"Ihaveanotherpieceofbusinesstosettlewithyou。"

"DoyouwanttoborrowmoremoneybecauseIrefusetolendyouany？"

"No；itisyouwhohaveborrowed，andIhavecometoyoutoreceivebackmyown。"

"Ifailtounderstandyou。"

Gregoriotriedtokeepcalm，butitwasnotpossible。Risingtohisfeet，hebentovertheJewandcriedout：

"Givemebackmyson，youJewdog！"

"Yoursonisnothere。"

"Youlie！byGod，youlie！Ifheisnothereyouhavemurderedhim。"

"Madman！"shoutedAmos，astheGreek’sknifeflashedfromitssheath；

butbeforeheorhisservantscouldstaytheupliftedarmtheJewsankbackamonghiscushions，woundedtotheheart。Withashoutoftriumphanda"DeathofallJews！"Gregorioturnedsavagelyontheservantsand，reinforcedbyhiscompanions，soonsucceededinslayingthem。

Thenleavingthedeadsidebyside，thefourmendashedthroughthehouseseekingfreshvictims。Tenminuteslatertheywereinthestreetagain，drippingwiththebloodofwomenandmen，forintheirfurytheyhadkilledeveryhumanbeinginthehouse。

Downthenarrownativestreetstheypushedonquickly，huggingtheshadows，towardthePenny-farthingShop。MadamMarx，herearssharpenedbyfear，heardthem，admittedthembyasidedoor，andledthemquicklytoanupperroom。Thithershecarriedwaterandcleangarments，butdarednotaskanyquestions。Sickwithanxiety，shere-enteredthebarandwaited。

Atlengththemurderersappearedandcalledforcoffee，andMadamMarxattendedtotheirwants。InafewminutestheEgyptiansleft，andGregorioandshewerealone。Comingnearhim，sheplacedherhandtimidlyonhisshoulder，andaskedhim，inahoarsewhisper，totellherwhathadhappened。

"Mysonwasnotthere。"

"Well？"

"Well，youcanguesstherest。Notonepersonremainsaliveofthatdevil’shousehold。"

MadamMarxgaspedatthemagnitudeofthecrime，andthoughherterrorsincreased，herprideinthemancapableofsotremendousrevengeincreasedalso。

"Whatwillhappentoyou？"shefoundvoicetoask。

"Nothing。Imusthidehere。Wewerenotseen。Besides，yourememberthelasttimeaGreekmurderedaJew——itwasatPortSaid——thematterwashushedup。OurconsulscareaslittleforJewsaswedo。MyGod，howgladIamIkilledhim！"

Hiseyeswerefixedonthestreetashespoke，andsuddenlyhestartedtohisfeet。Madamrosetoo，andclungtohim。Hepushedherroughlyononeside，whileanevilsmileplayedonhislips。

"ByGod，sheshallcomebacknow！"

"Who？"

"Xantippe。ThereisnoneedforhertolivewiththeEnglishmannow。

OursonisdeadandtheJewinhell。Iwillatleasthavemywifeback。"

"Shewillnotcome。"

"Shewillcome。ByGod，Iwillmakeher！Ihavetastedbloodto-night，andIamnotachildtobetreatedwithcontempt。IsayIwillmakehercome。"

"Butifsherefuses？"

"ThenIwilltakecareshedoesnotgobacktotheEnglishman。"

"Youwill——"butmadam’svoicefaltered。Gregorioreadhermeaningandlaughedayes。

"But，Gregorio，think；youwillbehangedforthat。YouwifeisnotaJewess。"

ButGregoriolaughedagainandstrodeintothestreet。Hewasmadwithgriefandtheintoxicatingdraughtsofvengeancehehadswallowed。Hestrodeacrosstheroadandmountedthestairswithsteadyfeet。MadamMarxfollowedhim，weepingandcallingonhimtocomeback。Ashereachedthedoorofhisroomsheflungherselfbeforehim，buthepushedherononesidewithhisfeetandshutthedoorbehindhimasheentered。

Lyingonthethreshold，sheheardtheboltfastened，andknewthelastactofthetragedywasbegun。

XI

HUSBANDANDWIFE

AsGregorioenteredtheroom，Xantippe，whowaskneelingbyaboxintowhichshewasplacingclothesneatlyfolded，turnedherheadandsaidlaughingly：

"Youareimpatient，myfriend；Ihavenearly——"

ButrecognisingGregorio，shedidnotfinishthesentence。Shesatdownontheedgeofthebox。Herfacebecamewhite，andthebloodleftherlips。Withagreateffortsheremainedquietandfoldedherhandsonherlap。

Gregoriolookedatherforamoment，acruelsmilemakinghissinisterfaceappearalmostterrible，andhisbloodshoteyesglaredathersavagely。Atlasthebrokethesilencebyshoutinghernamehoarsely，makingatthesametimeamovementtowardher。Helookedlikeawildanimalabouttospringuponhisprey。Xantippe，however，didnotflinch，answeringsoftly：

"Iamnotdeaf。Whatdoyouwanthere？"

"Itismyroom；IsupposeIhavearighttobehere。"

"Iapologiseforhavingintruded。"

"Noneofyoursmoothspeeches。TheEnglishmanhasschooledyoucarefully，Isee。Canyousay’good-bye’inEnglishyet？"

"WhyshouldIsay’good-bye’？"

"Itistime。Youwillcomebacktomenow。"

"Never。"

Gregoriolaughedhystericallyandstoodbesideher。Hisfingersplayedwithherhair。Inspiteofherfearlestsheshouldirritatehim，Xantippeshrankfromhistouch。Gregorionoticedheraversionandsaidsavagely：

"Youmustgetusedtome，Xantippe。Fromto-nightwelivetogetheragain。Itisnotnecessarynowforyoutoearnmoney。"

"Ishallnotcomebacktoyou。IhavetoldyouIhateyou。ItisyourownfaultthatIleaveyou。"

"Itwillbemyfaultifyoudoleaveme。"

Hepushedherontothemattressandheldherthere。

"Letustalk，"hesaid。

Forafewminutestherewassilence，andthenhecontinued：

"Amosisdead，andourdebtsarepaid。"

"Howdidyoupaythem？"

"Withthis，"andashespokehetouchedthehandleofhisknife。

"Don’tshudder；hedeservedit，andIshallbesafeinafewdays。

Theseaffairsarequicklyforgotten。Besides，thereisanotherreasonwhyweshouldnotliveaswehavelatelybeenliving。"

Xantippeopenedhereyesassheasked，"Whatreason？"

Gregoriorelaxedhishold，forthememoryofhislossshookhimwithsobs。Cat-like，Xantippehadwaitedheropportunityandsprangawayfromhisgrasp。Themovementbroughtthemantohissenses。Herushedatherwithanoath，wavingtheknifeinhishand。Xantippepreparedtodefendherself。Theystood，desperate，beforeeachother，neitherdaringtobeginthestruggle。Throughtheawfulsilencecamethesoundofsobsandaplaintivevoicecrying：

"Gregorio，comeback，leaveher；Iloveyou。"

"IsMadamMarxoutside？"hissedXantippe。

"Yes。"

"Thengotoher。ItellyouIhateyou。"Shepointedtothehalf-

filledbox——"Iwasgoingtoleavehereto-night。Iwillneverreturntoyou。"

"YouweregoingwiththeEnglishman？"

"Heisaman。"

Gregoriopausedamoment，theninasuppressedvoice，halfchokingatthewords，said：

"Ourson——doyouknowwhathashappenedtohim？Youshallnotleaveme。"

"Iknowaboutourson。Iamgladtothinkheisawayfromyourevilinfluence。Letmepass。"Xantippemovedtowardthedoor，butGregorioseizedherbythethroat。

"Youaregladoursoniskilled；youhelpedAmostokillhim。"

Rageanddespairimpelledhim。Laughingbrutally，hestruckheronthebreast，and，ashetottered，senthisknifedeepintoherheart。Forafewsecondshestoodoverherexulting，andthenopenedthedoor。

MadamMarx，whitewithfear，rushedintotheroom。Seeingthemurderedwoman，alookoftriumphcameintohereyes。Butitwasamomentarytriumph，forsherealisedatoncethegravityofthecrime。Shehadlittlepityorsorrowtowasteonthedead，butshewasfullofconcernforthesafetyofthemurderer。

"Thisisabadnight’swork，Gregorio。"

"Isit？Shedeserveddeath。IamgladIkilledher。God，howpeacefullyIshallsleeptonight！"

"Thisisaworsematterthantheother，myfriend；youmustgetawayfromhereatonce。"

"Letusleavethecorpse；Iamthirsty，"Gregorioanswered，callously。

WithalastlookatXantippedeaduponthefloor，thetwolefttheroomandmadefasttheboltbeforedescendingthestairs。Astheyemergedfromthedoorwayintothestreet，somepolicerodeby，andGregoriotrembledalittleashestoodwatchingthem。

"Iwantadrink；Iamtrembling，"hesaid，huskily，andfollowedMadamMarxintotheshop。

Thesunwasbeginningtorise，andalreadysignsofanewlifewerestirring。Theday-workersappearedatthewindowsandinthestreets。

"Youmustgetawayatnight，Gregorio，andkeephiddenallday。"

"Allright。Givemesomewine。Icanarrangebetterwhenmythirstissatisfied。"

Afterdrinkingdeeplyheturnedandlaughed。"Ithasbeenabusytimesincesunset。"

Then，asifanewideasuddenlystruckhim，hequeriedcunningly，"Therewillbearewardoffered？"

"Isupposeso。"

"Thenyouwillbearichwoman。"

MadamMarxflungherselfathisfeetandweptbitterly。Theblowwasacrueloneindeed。Eagerlysheentreatedhimtoretracthiswords。Sheremindedhimofallshehaddoneforhim，ofallshewouldstilldo。A

sortofeloquencecametoherasshepleadedhercause，andGregorio，wearywithexcitement，kissedherasheasked：

"Butwhyshouldyounotgivemeup？"

"BecauseIloveyou。"

Neitherbloodnorcrueltycouldstainhiminhereyes。

Atlastherpassionspentitself；calmedandsoothedbyGregorio’scaresssherealisedagainthedangerherloverran。Vainlywereplansdiscussed；nofairchanceofescapeseemedopen。AtlastGregoriosaid：

"Ishallleavehereto-nightforRamlehandliveinthedesertforatime。Ifyouhelpmewecanmanageeasily。WhenmybeardisgrownI

cangetbackheresafelyenough，andthematterwillbeforgotten。Youmustcollectfoodandtakeitbytraintothelaststation，andgettheboxburiedbyAhmednearthepalace。Icancreeptowarditatnightunseen。"

"ButIwillcometoyouatnightandbringfoodanddrink。"

"No。Thatwouldonlyattractattention。Youmustnotleaveyourcustomers。Butthedrinkistheworstpartofthematter。Imusthavewater。Getasmanyostrich-eggsasyoucan，andfillthemwithwater，andsealthem。Hidethesewiththefood，andIwillcarrysomeofthemintothefartherdesertandburythemthere。"

"Gregorio，ifallcomesrightyouwillnotbesorryyoukilledher？"

"Shehatedme。Ishallnotbesorry。"

AndMadamMarxsmiledandforgotherfears。

XII

INTHEDESERTANDONTHESEA

BythelasttrainleavingAlexandriaforRamleh，thenextevening，Gregoriosoughttoescapehispursuers。HehadheardfromAhmedontheplatform，justbeforestarting，thatXantippe’sbodyhadbeendiscovered，andthatalreadythepolicewereonhistrack。Hesatinacornerofathird-classcarriagecloselymuffled，andeyeinghisneighbourssuspiciously。Hesighedwithreliefasthetrainmovedoutofthestationandbegantopassbythesand-hillsandwhitevillas，showingghost-likeinthedampmist。

WhenhereachedSt。Antoniohesawthelightsofthecasinoblazingcheerfully，andthepurecleardesertairinvigoratedhim。Fascinatedbytheglare，hestrolledtowardthecasinoanddecided，inspiteoftherisk，toenter。Hewatchedfromacornertheplayers，andgreedilycovetedthemassesofgoldandsilverpiledinpyramidsbehindthecroupiers。HeheardtheviolinsplayingSuppe’soverture，andtheremembrancecamevividlytohimoftheParadisoandthefairgirlwithwhomtheEnglishmantalked。Theexcitingeventsfollowingthateveningpassedbeforehim——aluridpanorama。

Anhourfledquicklyaway；thenhesoughtthesolitudeofthedesert，and，havingcollectedintoabagasmuchfoodandasmanyeggsashecouldcarry，hewalkedawayoverthesands。

Underthestarshedugholeswhereintoburytheeggs，andmarkedthespotswithstones；then，wrappinghimselfinhiscloak，laydowntosleep。Allnextdayheloiteredidlyabout，shunningthegazeofeverywanderingArab。Wheneveningcamehedrewneartothepalacetoseekforfood。Tohishorror，theboxhadnotbeenrefilled。Atfirsthehardlyrealisedhowawfulwashisplight。Thenthetruthdawneduponhim。AhmedandMadamMarxmusthavebeenarrested。Hedrewneartothecasinoandstoodundertheopenwindowslistening。Acoldshudderrandownhisback，hisfacegrewpale，andhislipstrembled，forheheardtwomendiscussingthemurderandthecaptureofhisfriends。Aninvoluntarysmilelightedupthegloomofhisfeaturesforamomentasoneremarkedthatthechiefoffender，thewoman’shusband，hadeludedpursuit。Thenhecreptbackintothedesertandwaitedforthedawn。

Thesunrose，fieryandrelentless，glitteringonthewatersofAboukir，andthecloudlessheavenblazedlikeaprairieonfire。Atmidday，whenitsraysfellstraightuponhim，histhirstbecameintense，andwithfeverishfingershedugupanegg。Itwasempty。Hetosseditawayanddraggedhimselftoanotherhole。Thesecondeggwasempty。Inturnhedugupallhiseggs，andallalikewereempty。

Improperlysealed，scantilycoveredbythesand，thewaterhadevaporated。Agreatdespairseizedhim；hecalledonGodinhisanguish，andthesilenceofthedesertterrifiedhim。Inafitofdesolateangerhepulledoffhiscap，andsummonedallthesaints，Christ，andGodHimself，toenterit，andthentrampledonit，laughingwildly。Thenheflunghimselfuponthesand，hisheadstillleftbaretothepitilesssun。Heknewtheendhadcome，buttherewasnotanyregretinhisheartforhiscrimes，onlyanimpotentdismayandangerathissolitarycondition。Thethirstincreasedeveryminute，andhegrippedthesandwithhisfingersinhisagony。Hislastwordwasanoath。

Atsunsethewasdead。

TwodayslaterMadamMarxleftAlexandriabytrainforRamleh。Therewasnoevidenceagainsther，andshehadsoonbeenreleased。Herowntroublescarcelydisconcertedher；shehadfearedonlyfortheGreekinthedesert。Thethoughtofhisagony，hishunger，goadedhernearlytomadness；butshewasalittlecomfortedwhensherememberedtheeggs。Therewasenoughwaterinthemtolasthimtwoorthreedays。Itwasthehourofsunsetwhenshearrived，andsheinstantlysetoutdesertward，carryingabasketcontainingwineandfood。Shehaddeterminedtoliveatthehoteluntilthedaysofpersecutionwerepast。Theheavysandmadeithardtoproceedrapidly，butshestruggledonbravely，andwhenfarenoughfromcivilisationcalledaloudthesignal-wordagreedon。Butnooneanswered。Allthroughthenightshewandered，searching，tillwithinanhourofsunrise；thenshegavewayandsatweepingonthesand。Withdaylightsherosetoherfeet，determinedtofindherlover，buthadscarcelygonetwentyyardsbefore，withalowcryofgrief，shekneltbesidethebodyofadeadman。Inthehalf-eaten，decayedfeaturessherecognisedGregorioandknewshehadcometoolate。Undeterredbythehideousspectacle，shekissedhimtenderlyandlaybesidehim。

Thesunmountedslowlyintheheavens。

Thelivingfigurelayaslifelessasthedead。Butafterawhilethewomanroseanddugwithherhandsahollowinthesand。Sheheedednottheheat，northeflightoftime，andbyeveningherworkwasdone。

Raisingthebodyinherarms，shecarriedittothehollowandlaiditgentlydown，thentearfullyshovelledbackthesandtillitwashidden。SoGregoriofoundatomb。Nordiditremainunconsecrated，forbesideitMadamMarxkneltandspokewithfalteringlipstheremnantsoftheprayersshehadlearnedwhenachild。Assheprayedshewatchedvaguelyasteamerdisappearbehindthehorizon。

Thekhedivalmail-boat/Ramses/spedswiftlyovertheunruffledsurfaceofthesea。AtthesternatallfairEnglishmansatlookingonthelevelshoresofEgyptandtheminaretsofAlexandria。Withasadsmileheturnedtothechildwhocalledtohimbyhisname。Theywereastrangepair，fortheboywasdark，andforeign-looking，andtherewassomethingofcunninginhisrestlessblackeyes。Theman’slargehandrestedsoftlyontheravencurlsoftheyoungsterashemutteredtohimself：

"ForhersakeIwillwatchoveryou，andyoushallgrowuptobeatrueman。"

SoXantippe’slifehadnotbeenlivedinvain，forshehadlovedandbeenloved，andhermemorywassweettoherlover。Moreover，Gregorio’sdreamsofwealthforhissonweretofindfulfilment，andthesandofthedesert，maybe，lieslightlyonhim。