Page:Artabanzanus (Ferrar, 1896).djvu/284



good Julius—for I considered him good, and, with all his faults, loved him as I love my country, my proud and strong and passionate, but still generous England—and I, after a comfortable night's rest and an early breakfast, set out on our walk round the lake, intending to stay for another night at the hut where young Mr. Pepper and his nephew kept watch over their sheep. The weather continued fine, and as we rambled on quietly, my companion found it difficult to satisfy his insatiable curiosity. I answered all his questions to the best of my ability, and in perfect good humour. His was not an idle or impertinent curiosity, and it gave me infinite pleasure to be able, in some measure, to gratify it. No feeling of annoyance came over me, as I must confess it sometimes does when I find myself the victim of impertinent curiosity. I regarded this Doctor as my alter ego, though immeasurably inferior to him in general talents, and my respect and affection for him, I felt, were growing stronger as hour succeeded hour.

All this time we were in sight of Helen Island, and we duly arrived at the fallen tree where my terrible combat with the Demon had taken place, and sat down upon it to enjoy a short rest. My thoughts were inexpressibly happy;