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。