ious country districts; and, should
Arabi be triumphant, the position of Christians will become very
precarious. Matters are evidently seen in that light in England; for I
heard today, at the office, that the British and French squadrons are
expected here, in a day or two.

"If there should be a row, our position here will be very unpleasant.
But I should hardly think that Arabi would venture to try his strength
against that of the fleets, and I fancy that trouble will, in the first
place, begin in Cairo; both as being the capital of the country, and
beyond the reach of armed interference by the Powers. Arabi's natural
course would be to consolidate his power throughout the whole of Egypt,
leaving Alexandria severely alone, until he had obtained absolute
authority elsewhere.

"Anyhow, it will be a satisfaction to have the fleet up; as, at the
first rumour of an outbreak, I can get you and baby on board one of the
ships lying in harbour. As a simple measure of precaution, I would
suggest that you should go out with me, this evening, and buy one of
the costumes worn by the native women. It is only a long blue robe,
enveloping you from head to foot; and one of those hideous white cotton
veils, falling from below the eyes. I will get a bottle of iodine, and
you will then only have to darken your forehead and eyelids, and you
could pass, unsuspected, through any crowd."

"But what are you going to do, Gregory?"

"I will get a native dress, too; but you must remember that though, if
possible, I will come to you, I may not be able to do so; and in case
you hear of any tumult going on, you must take Baby, and go down at
once to the port. You know enough of the language, now, to be able to
tell a boatman to take you off to one of the steamers in the port. As
soon as I get away I shall go round the port, and shall find you
without difficulty. Still, I do not anticipate any trouble arising
without our having sufficient warning to allow me to come and see you
settled on board ship; and I can then keep on in the office until it
closes, when I can join you again.

"Of course, all this is very remote, and I trust that the occasion will
never arise. Still, there is no doubt that the situation is critical,
and there is no harm in making our preparations for the worst.

"At any rate, dear, I beg that you will not go out alone, till matters
have settled down. We will do the shopping together, when I come back
from the office.

"T