among the busy crowd that thronged about him. Perdita rejoined him, and

before her he forced himself to appear cheerful, for she, even as a mirror,

changed as he changed, and if he were silent and anxious, she solicitously

inquired concerning, and endeavoured to remove the cause of his

seriousness. She resided at the palace of Sweet Waters, a summer seraglio

of the Sultan; the beauty of the surrounding scenery, undefiled by war, and

the freshness of the river, made this spot doubly delightful. Raymond felt

no relief, received no pleasure from any show of heaven or earth. He often

left Perdita, to wander in the grounds alone; or in a light shallop he

floated idly on the pure waters, musing deeply. Sometimes I joined him; at

such times his countenance was invariably solemn, his air dejected. He

seemed relieved on seeing me, and would talk with some degree of interest

on the affairs of the day. There was evidently something behind all this;

yet, when he appeared about to speak of that which was nearest his heart,

he would abruptly turn away, and with a sigh endeavour to deliver the

painful idea to the winds.

It had often occurred, that, when, as I said, Raymond quitted Perdita's

drawing-room, Clara came up to me, and gently drawing me aside, said, "Papa

is gone; shall we go to him? I dare say he will be glad to see you." And,

as accident permitted, I complied with or refused her request. One evening

a numerous assembly of Greek chieftains were gathered together in the

palace. The intriguing Palli, the accomplished Karazza, the warlike

Ypsilanti, were among the principal. They talked of the events of the day;

the skirmish at noon; the diminished numbers of the Infidels; their defeat

and flight: they contemplated, after a short interval of time, the capture

242

The Last Man