第1章
"Iamveryangry，"poutedthemaid。
"Inheaven’sname，why？"questionedthebachelor。
"Youhave，sotospeak，boughtme。"
"Impossible:yourpriceisprohibitive。"
"Indeed，whenathousandpounds-"
"Youareworthfiftyandahundredtimesasmuch。Pooh！"
"Thatinterjectiondoesn’tanswermyquestion。"
"Idon’tthinkitisonewhichneedsanswering，"saidtheyoungmanlightly；"therearemoreimportantthingstotalkaboutthanpounds，shillings，andsordidpence。"
"Oh，indeed！Suchas-"
"Love，onadaysuchasthisis。Lookatthesky，blueasyoureyes；atthesunshine，goldenasyourhair。"
"Warmasyouraffection，youshouldsay。"
"Affection！Socoldaword，whenIloveyou。"
"Totheextentofonethousandpounds。"
"Lucy，youarea-woman。Thatmoneydidnotbuyyourlove，buttheconsentofyourstepfathertoourmarriage。HadInothumoredhiswhim，hewouldhaveinsisteduponyourmarryingRandom。"
Lucypoutedagainandinscorn。
"AsifIeverwould，"saidshe。
"Well，Idon’tknow。Randomisasoldierandabaronet；handsomeandagreeable，withacertainamountoftalent。Whatobjectioncanyoufindtosuchamatch？"
"Oneinsuperableobjection；heisn’tyou，Archie-darling。"
"H’m，theadjectiveappearstobeanafterthought，"grumbledthebachelor；then，whenshemerelylaughedteasinglyafterthemannerofwomen，headdedmoodily:
"No，byJove，Randomisn’tme，byanymannerofmeans。Iambutapoorartistwithoutfameorposition，strugglingonthreehundredayearforagrudgingrecognition。"
"Quiteenoughforone，yougreedycreature。"
"Andfortwo？"heinquiredsoftly。
"Morethanenough。"
"Oh，nonsense，nonsense，nonsense！"
"What！whenIamengagedtoyou？Actionsspeakmuchlouderthanremarks，Mr。ArchibaldHope。IloveyoumorethanIdomoney。"
"Angel！angel！"
"YousaidthatIwasawomanjustnow。Whatdo，youmean？"
"This，"andhekissedherwillinglipsinthelane，whichwasemptysaveforblackbirdsandbeetles。"Isanyexplanationaclearone？"
"Nottoanangel，whorequiresadoration，buttoawomanwho-
Letuswalkon，Archie，orweshallbelatefordinner。"
Theyoungmansmiledandfrownedandsighedandlaughedinthespaceofthirtyseconds-somethingofafeatinthewayofemotionalgymnastics。ThefreakishfemininenatureperplexedhimasithadperplexedAdam，andhecouldnotunderstandthisrapidchangefrompoetrytoprose。Howcoulditbeotherwise，whenhewasbutfive-and-twenty，andengagedforthefirsttime？
Threescoreyearsandtenisalltooshortatimetolearnwhatwomanreallyis，andeverystudentleavesthisworldwiththeconvictionthatofthethousandsideswhichthefemaleofmanpresentstothemaleofwoman，notonerevealsthebeinghedesirestoknow。Thereisalwaysadeepbelowadeep；aveilbehindaveil，aspherewithinasphere。
"It’smostremarkable，"saidthepuzzledmaninthisinstance。
"Whatis？"askedtheenigmapromptly。
Toavoidanargumentwhichhecouldnotsustain，Archieswitchedhisontotheweather。
"ThisdayinSeptember；onecouldwellbelievethatitisstillthemonthofroses。"
"What！Withthosewiltedhedgesandfallingleavesandreapedfieldsandgoldenhaystacks，and-and-"
Sheglancedaroundforfurtherillustrationsinthewayofcontradiction。
"Icanseeallthosethings，dear，andthemisplaceddayalso！"
"Misplaced？"
"JulydayslippedintoSeptember。Itcomesintothelandscapeofthisautumnmonth，asdoesloveintotheheartsofanelderlycouplewhofeeltoolatethesupremepassion。"
Lucy’seyesswepttheprospect，andthespring-likesunshine，revealingalltooclearlythewrinklesofagingNature，assistedhercomprehension。
"Iunderstand。Yetyouthhasitswisdom。"
"Andoldageitsexperience。Thelawofcompensation，mydearest。ButIdon’tsee，"headdedreflectively，"whatyourremarkandmyanswerhavetodowiththeview，"whereatLucydeclaredthathiswitswandered。
Withinthelastfiveminutestheyhademergedfromasunkenlanewherethehedgeswerewhitewithdustanddrywithheattoavastopenspace，apparentlyattheWorld’s-End。HerethesaltingsspreadraggedlytowardsthestatelystreamoftheThames，intersectedbydykesandditches，byearthenramparts，crookedfences，sodwalls，andirregularlinesofstuntedtreesfollowingthewater-courses。Themarsheswereshaggywithreedsandrushes，andbrownwithcoarse，fadingherbage，althoughhereandtheregleamedemerald-huedpatchesofwater-soakedsoil，fitforfairy-rings。Beyondamoderatelyhighembankmentofturfandtimber，theloverscouldseethebroadriver，sweepingeastwardtotheNore，withhomeward-boundandoutward-faringshipsafloatonitsgoldentide。Acrossthegleamingwaters，fromwheretheylippedtheirbankstothefootoflowdomesticKentishhills，stretchedalluviallands，sparselytimbered，andintheclearsunshineclustersofhouses，greatandsmall，factorieswithtall，smokychimneys，clumpsoftreesandrigidrailwaylinescouldbediscerned。Thelandscapewasnotbeautiful，inspiteofthesun’sprofusegildings，buttotheloversitappearedaParadise。Cupid，lordofgodsandmen，hadbestowedonthemtheusualrose-coloredspectacleswhichformanimportantpartofhisstock-in-trade，andtheylookedabroadonafairyworld。WasnotSHEthere:wasnotHEthere:couldRomeoorJulietdesiremore？
>Fromtheirfeetrantheslim，straightcauseway，whichwastheKing’shighwayofthedistrict-atrim，primlineofwhiteabovethepicturesquedisorderofthemarshes。Itskirtedthelow-lyingfieldsatthefootoftheuplandsandslippedthroughanirongatetoendinthefardistanceatthegiganticportalofTheFort。Thiswasasquat，ungainlypileofruggedgraystone，symmetricallybuilt，butaggressivelyuglyinitsveryregularity，sinceitinsultedthegracefulcurvesofNatureeverywherediscernible。Itstoodnakedlyamidstthebare，bleakmeadowsglitteringwithpoolsofstillwater，withnoteventheleafofacreepertosoftenitsmenacingwalls，althoughabovethemappearedthefull-foliagedtopsoftreesplantedinthebarrack-yard。Itlookedasthoughthegrimwallsbeltedasecretorchard。Whatwiththefrowningbattlements，theveryfewwindowsdiminutiveandcloselybarred，thesullenentranceandtheabsenceofanygraciousgreenery，GartleyFortresembledtheCastleofGiantDespair。Onthehitherside，butinvisibletothelovers，greatcannonsscowledontherivertheyprotected，and，whentheyspoke，receivedanswerfromsmallergunsacrossthestream。Therelessextensivefortswereconcealedamidsttreesandmaskedbyturfembankments，towatchandguardthegoldenargosiesofLondoncommerce。
Lucy，alwaysimpressionable，shiveredwithherhandinthatofArchie’s，asshestaredatthelandscape，melancholyeveninthebrilliantsunshine。
"IshouldhatetoliveinGartleyFort，"saidsheabruptly。"Onemightaswellbeinjail。"
"IfyoumarryRandomyouwillhavetolivethere，oronabaggagewagon。HeisR。G。A。captain，remember，andhastogowhereglorycallshim，likeagoodsoldier。"
"Glorycancalluntilgloryishoarseforme，"retortedthegirlcandidly。"Ipreferanartist’sstudiotoacamp。"
"Why？"askedHope，laughingathervehemence。
"Thereasonisobvious。Ilovetheartist。"
"Andifyoulovedthesoldier？"
"IshouldmountthebaggagewagonandmakehimBovrilwhenhewaswounded。Butforyou，dear，Ishallcookandsewandbakeand-"
"Stop！stop！Iwantawife，notahousekeeper。"
"Everysensiblemanwantsthetwoinone。"
"Butyoushouldbea，queen，darling。"
"Notwithmyownconsent，Archie:theworkismuchtoohard。
Existenceonsixpoundsaweekwithyouwillbemoreamusing。Wecantakeacottage，youknow，andlive，thesimplelifeinGartleyvillage，untilyoubecometheP。R。A。，andIcanbeLadyHope，towalkinsilkattire。"
"YoushallbeQueenoftheEarth，darling，andwalkalone。"
"Howdull！Iwouldmuchratherwalkwithyou。Andthatremindsmethatdinneriswaiting。Letustaketheshortcuthomethroughthevillage。Onthewayyoucantellmeexactlyhowyouboughtmefrommystep-fatherforonethousandpounds。"
ArchieHopefrownedattheincurableobstinacyofthesex。"I
didn’tbuyyou，dearest:howmanytimesdoyouwishmetodenyasalewhichnevertookplace？Imerelyobtainedyourstep-father’sconsenttoourmarriageinthenearfuture。"
"Asifhehadanythingtodowithmymarriage，beingonlymystep-father，andhaving，inmyeyes，noauthority。Inwhatwaydidyougethisconsent-hisunnecessaryconsent，"sherepeatedwithemphasis。
Ofcourseitwaswasteofbreathtoarguewithawomanwhohadmadeuphermind。Thetwobegantowalktowardsthevillagealongthecauseway，andHopeclearedhisthroattoexplain-
patientlyastoachild。
"Youknowthatyourstep-father-ProfessorBraddock-iscrazyonthesubjectofmummies？"
Lucynoddedinherprettywilfulway。"HeisanEgyptologist。"
"Quiteso，butlessfamousandrichthanheshouldbe，consideringhisknowledgeofdry-as-dustantiquities。Well，then，tomakealongstoryshort，hetoldmethathegreatlydesiredtoexamineintothedifferencebetweentheEgyptiansandthePeruvians，withregardtotheembalmingofthedead。"
"IalwaysthoughtthathewastoofondofEgypttobotheraboutanyothercountry，"saidLucysapiently。
"Mydear，itisn’tthecountryhecaresabout，butthecivilizationofthepast。TheIncasembalmedtheirdead，asdidtheEgyptians，andinsomewaytheProfessorheardofaRoyalMummy，swathedingreenbandages-sohedescribedittome。"
"ItshouldbecalledanIrishmummy，"saidLucyflippantly。
"Well？"
"ThismummyisinpossessionofamanatMalta，andProfessorBraddock，hearingthatitwasforsaleforonethousandpounds-"
"Oh！"interruptedthegirlvivaciously，"sothiswaswhyfathersentSidneyBoltonawaysixweeks%go？"
"Yes。Asyouknow，Boltonisyourstep-father’sassistant，andisascrazyastheProfessoronthesubjectofEgypt。IaskedtheProfessorifhewouldallowmetomarryyou-"
"Quiteunnecessary，"interpolatedLucybriskly。
Archiepassedovertheremarktoevadeanargument。
"WhenIaskedhim，hesaidthathewishedyoutomarryRandom，whoisrich。IpointedoutthatyoulovedmeandnotRandom，andthatRandomwasonayachtingcruise，whileIwasonthespot。
HethensaidthathecouldnotwaitforthereturnofRandom，andwouldgivemeachance。"
"Whatdidhemeanbythat？"
"Well，itseemsthathewasinahurrytogetthisGreenMummyfromMalta，ashefearedlestsomeotherpersonshouldsnapitup。Thiswastwomonthsago，remember，andProfessorBraddockwantedthecashatonce。HadRandombeenherehecouldhavesuppliedit，butasRandomwasawayhetoldmethatifIhandedoveronethousandpoundstopurchasethemummy，thathewouldpermitourengagementnow，andourmarriageinsixmonths。Isawmychanceandtookit，foryourstep-fatherhasalwaysbeenanobstacleinourpath，Lucy，dear。InaweekProfessorBraddockhadthemoney，asIsoldoutsomeofmyinvestmentstogetit。
HethensentBoltontoMaltainatrampsteamerforthesakeofcheapness，andnowexpectshimbackwiththeGreenMummy。"
"HasSidneyboughtit？"
"Yes。Hegotitforninehundredpounds，theProfessortoldme，andisbringingitbackinTheDiver-that’sthesametrampsteamerinwhichhewenttoMalta。Sothat’sthewholestory，andyoucanseethereisnoquestionofyoubeingbought。Thethousandpoundswenttogetyourfather’sconsent。"
"Heisnotmyfather，"snappedLucy，findingnothingelsetosay。
"Youcallhimso。"
"Thatisonlyfromhabit。Ican’tcallhimMr。Braddock，orProfessorBraddock，whenIlivewithhim，so`father’isthesolemodeofaddresslefttome。Andafterall，"sheadded，takingherlover’sarm，"IliketheProfessor；heisverykindandgood，althoughextremelyabsent-minded。AndIamgladhehasconsented，forheworriedmealottomarrySirFrankRandom。I
amgladyouboughtme。"
"ButIdidn’t，"criedtheexasperatedlover。
"Ithinkyoudid，andyoushouldn’thavediminishedyourincomebybuyingwhatyoucouldhavehadfornothing。"
Archieshruggedhisshoulders。Itwasvaintocombatherfixedidea。
"Ihavestillthreehundredayearleft。Andyouwereworthbuying。"
"YouhavenorighttotalkofmeasthoughIhadbeenbought。"
Theyoungmangasped。"Butyousaid-"
"Oh，whatdoesitmatterwhatIsaid。Iamgoingtomarryyouonthreehundredayear，sothereitis。IsupposewhenBoltonreturns，myfatherwillbegladtoseethebackofme，andthenwillgotoEgyptwithSidneytoexplorethissecrettombheisalwaystalkingabout。"
"Thatexpeditionwillrequiremorethanathousandpounds，"saidArchiedryly。"TheProfessorexplainedtheobstaclestome。
However，hisdoingshavenothingtodowithus，darling。LetProfessorBraddockfumbleamongstthedeadifhelikes。Welive！"
"Apart，"sighedLucy。
"Onlyforthenextsixmonths；thenwecangetour，cottageandliveonlove，mydearest。"
"Plusthreehundredayear，"saidthegirlsensiblythensheadded，"Oh，poorFrankRandom！"
"Lucy，"criedherloverindignantly。
"Well，Iwasonlypityinghim。He’saniceman，andyoucan’texpecthimtobepleasedatourmarriage。"
"Perhaps，"saidHopeinanicytone，"youwouldlikehimtobethebridegroom。Ifso，thereisstilltime。"
"Sillyboy！Sheshookhisarm。"AsIlavebeenbought，youknowthatIcan’trunawayfrommypurchaser。"
"Youdeniedbeingboughtjustnow。Itseemstome，Lucy，thatI
amtomarryaweather-cock。"
"Thatisonlyanimpolitenameforawoman，dear。Youhavenosenseofhumor，Frank，oryouwouldcallmeanAprillady。"
"Becauseyouchangeeveryfiveminutes。H’m！It’spuzzling。"
"Isit？PerhapsyouwouldlikemetoresembleWidowAnne，whoisalwaysfunereal。Heresheis，lookinglikeNiobe。"
TheywerestrollingthroughGartleyvillagebythistime，andthecottagerscametotheirdoorsandfrontgatestolookatthehandsomeyoungcouple。Everyoneknewoftheengagement，andapprovedofthesame，althoughsomehintedthatLucyKendalwouldhavebeenwisertomarrythesoldier-baronet。AmongstthesewasWidowAnne，whoreallywasMrs。Bolton，themotherofSidney，adismalfemaleinvariablyarrayedinrusty，stuffy，aggressivemourning，althoughherhusbandhadbeendeadforovertwentyyears。Becauseofthissamemourning，andbecauseshewasalwaystalkingofthedead，shevascalled"WidowAnne，"andlookedontheappellationasacomplimenttoherfidelity。Atthepresentmomentshestoodatthegateofhertinygarden，moppingherredeyeswithadingyhandkerchief。
’Ah，younglove，younglove，mylady，"shegroaned，whenthecouplepassed，forshealwaysgaveLucyatitleasthoughshereallyandtrulyhadbecomethewifeofSirFrank，"butwhoknowshowlongitmaylast？"
"Aslongaswedo，"retortedLucy，annoyedbythispropheticspeech。
WidowAnnegroanedwithrelish。"SomeandAaron，asisdeadandgone，thought，mylady。Butinsixmonthshewasknockingtheheadoffme。"
"Themanwhowouldlayhishandonawomansaveinthewayof-"
"Oh，Archie，whatnonsense，youtalk！"criedMissKendalpettishly。
"Ah！"sighedthewomanofexperience，"Icalleditnonsensetoo，mylady，aforeAaron，whonowlieswiththeworms，laidmeoutwithaflat-iron。Men’sfitforjailsonly，asIallayssays。"
"Aniceopinionyouhaveofoursex，"remarkedArchiedryly。
"Ihave，sir。Icouldtellyouthingsaswouldmakeyourheadwagglewithhorroronthereshouldersofyours。"
"WhataboutyoursonSidney？Ishealsowicked？"
"Hewouldbeifhehadthestrength，whichhehasn’t，"exclaimedthewidowwithuncomplimentaryfervor。"He’sAaron’sson，andAaronhadn’tmuchtolearnfromthemasiswherehe’sgonetoo，"
andshelookeddownwardsignificantly。
"Sidneyisadecentyoungfellow，"saidLucysharply。"Howdareyoumiscallyourownfleshandblood，WidowAnne？MyfatherthinksagreatdealofSidney，elsehewouldnothavesenthimtoMalta。Dotryandbecheerful，there’sagoodsoul。Sidneywilltellyouplentytomakeyoulaugh，whenhecomeshome。"
"Ifheeverdoescomehome，"sighedtheoldwoman。
"Whatdoyoumeanbythat？"
"Oh，it’sallverywellaskingquestionsascan’tbeanswerednohow，mylady，butIbeallofamubble-fubble，thatIbe。"
"Whatisamubble-fubble？"askedHope，staring。
"It’saqueer-likefeelingofdeathandsorrowandtearsofbloodandnotliftingyourheadforgroans，"saidWidowAnneincoherently，"andthere’smeaningsinmubble-fumbles，aswe’retoldinScripture。NotbutwhatthePerfesser’sbeenakindgentlemantoSidintakinghimfromgoingroundwiththelaundrycart，andeddicatinghimtowatchcamphoratedcorpses:notaswhatI’dliketokeepaneyeonthemthingsmyself。Butthere’snomorewatchingformyboySid，asIdreamed。"
"Whatdidyoudream？"askedLucycuriously。
WidowAnnethrewuptwognarledhands，wrinkledwithageandlaundrywork，screwingupherfacemeanwhile。
"Idreamedofbattleandmurderandsuddendeath，mylady，withSidinhiscoldgraveplayingonaharp，angel-like。Yes！"shefoldedherrustyshawltightlyroundherspareformandnodded，"therewasSid，lookingbeautifulinhiscoffin，andcutintoahash，asyoumightsay，with-"
"Ugh！ugh！"shudderedLucy，andArchiestrovetodrawheraway。
"Withmurderwrittenalloverhispoorface，"pursuedthewidow。
"AndIwokeupscreechingwithcrampinmylegsandpainsinmylungs，andbeatingsinmyheart，andstiffnessinmy-"
"Oh，hangit，shutup！"shoutedArchie，seeingthatLucywasgrowingpaleatthisghoulishrecital，"don’tbefool，woman。
ProfessorBraddocksaysthatBolton’llbebackinthreedayswiththemummyhehasbeensenttofetchfromMalta。Youhavebeenhavingnightmare！Don’tyouseehowyouarefrighteningMissKendal？"
"’TheWitch’ofEndor，sir-"
"DeucetaketheWitchofEndorandyoualso。There’sashilling。
Goanddrinkyourselfintoamorecheeryframeofmind。"
WidowAnnebittheshillingwithoneofhertworemainingteeth，anddroppedacurtsey。
"You’reagood，kindgentleman，"shesmirked，cheeredattheideaofunlimitedgin。"AndwhenmyboySiddocomehomeacorpse，I
hopeyou’llcometothefuneral，sir。"
"Whataraven！"saidLucy，asWidowAnnetoddledawayinthedirectionoftheonepublic-houseinGartleyvillage。
"Idon’twonderthatthelateMr。Boltonlaidheroutwithaflat-iron。Toslaysuchawomanwouldbemeritorious。"
"IwonderhowshecametobethemotherofSidney，"saidMissKendalreflectively，astheyresumedtheirwalk，"he’ssuchaclever，smart，andhandsomeyoungman。"
"IthinkBoltonoweseverythingtotheProfessor’steachingandexample，Lucy，"repliedherlover。"Hewasanuncouthlad，I
understand，whenyourstep-fathertookhimintothehousesixyearsago。Nowheisquitepresentable。Ishouldn’twonderifhemarriedMrs。Jasher。"
"H’m！IratherthinkMrs。JasheradmirestheProfessor。"
"Oh，he’llnevermarryher。Ifshewereamummytheremightbeachance，ofcourse，butasahumanbeingtheProfessorwillneverlookather。"
"Idon’tknowsomuchaboutthat，Archie。Mrs。Jasherisattractive。"
Hopelaughed。"Inamutton-dressed-as-lambway，nodoubt。"
"Andshehasmoney。Myfatherispoorandso-"
"Youmakeupamatchatonce，aseverywomanwilldo。Well，letusgetbacktothePyramids，andseehowtheflirtationisprogressing。"
Lucywalkedonforafewstepsinsilence。"DoyoubelieveinMrs。Bolton’sdream，Archie？"
"No！Ibelievesheeatsheavysuppers。Boltonwillreturnquitesafe；heisacleverfellow，noteasilytakenadvantageof。
Don’tbotheranymoreaboutWidowAnneandherdismalprophecies。"
"I’lltrynotto，"repliedLucydutifully。"Allthesame，Iwishshehadnottoldmeherdream，"andsheshivered。
CHAPTERII
PROFESSORBRADDOCK
TherewasonlyonereallypalatialmansioninGartley，andthatwastheancientGeorgianhouseknownasthePyramids。Lucy’sstepfatherhadgiventheplacethiseccentricnameontakinguphisabodetheresometenyearspreviously。BeforethattimethedwellinghadbeenoccupiedbytheLordoftheManorandhisfamily。Butnowtheoldsquirewasdead，andhisimpecuniouschildrenwerescatteredtothefourquartersoftheglobeinsearchofmoneywithwhichtorebuildtheirruinedfortunes。Asthevillagewassomewhatisolatedandratherunhealthilysituatedinamarshycountry，thehuge，roomyoldGrangehadnotbeeneasytolet，andhadprovedquiteimpossibletosell。Underthesedisastrouscircumstances，ProfessorBraddock-whodescribedhimselfhumorouslyasascientificpauper-hadobtainedthetenancyataridiculouslylowrental，muchtohissatisfaction。
Manypeoplewouldhavepaidmoneytoavoidexileinthesedampwastelands，which，asitwere，fringedcivilization，buttheirlonelinessanddesolationsuitedtheProfessorexactly。HerequiredampleroomforhisEgyptiancollection，withplentyoftimetodecipherhieroglyphicsandstudyperisheddynastiesoftheNileValley。TheworldofthepresentdaydidnotinterestBraddockintheleast。Helivedalmostcontinuouslyonthatportionofthementalplanewhichhadtodowiththefar-distantpast，andonlyconcernedhimselfwithphysicalexistence，whenitconsistedofmummiesandmysticbeetles，sepulchralornaments，pictureddocuments，hawk-headeddeitiesandsuchlikethingsofalmostinconceivableantiquity。Herarelywalkedabroadandwasinvariablylateformeals，savewhenhemissedanyparticularonealtogether，whichhappenedfrequently。Absent-mindedinconversation，untidyindress，unpracticalinbusiness，dreamyinmanner，ProfessorBraddocklivedsolelyforarchaeology。Thatsuchamanshouldhavetakentohimselfawifewasmystery。
Yethehadbeenmarriedfifteenyearsbeforetoawidow，whopossessedalimitedincomeandonesmallchild。ItwastheopportunityofsecuringtheuseofasteadyincomewhichhaddecoyedBraddockintothematrimonialsnareofMrs。Kendal。Toputitplainly，hehadmarriedtheagreeablewidowforhermoney，althoughhecouldscarcelybecalledafortune-hunter。LikeEugeneAram，hedesiredcashtoassistlearning，andasthatscholarhadcommittedmurdertosecurewhathewanted，sodidtheProfessormarrytoobtainhisends。Theseweretohavesomeonetomanagethehouse，andtobesetfreefromthenecessityofearninghisbread，sothathemightindulgeinpursuitsmorepleasurablethanmoney-making。Mrs。Kendalwasaplacid，phlegmaticlady，wholikedratherthanlovedtheProfessor，andwhodesiredhimmoreasacompanionthanasahusband。WithBraddockshedidnotarrangearomanticmarriagesomuchasenterintoacongenialpartnership。Shewantedamaninthehouse，andhedesiredfreedomfrompecuniaryembarrassment。Ontheselinestheprosaicbargainwasstruck，andMrs。KendalbecametheProfessor’swifewithentirelysuccessfulresults。Shegaveherhusbandahome，andherchildafather，whobecamefondofLucy，andwho-consideringhewasmerelyanamateurparent-actedadmirably。
Butthissensiblepartnershiplastedonlyforfiveyears。Mrs。
BraddockdiedofachillontheliverandleftherfivehundredayeartotheProfessorforlife，withremaindertoLucy，thenasmallgirloften。ItwasatthiscriticalmomentthatBraddockbecameapracticalmanforthefirstandlasttimeinhisdreamylife。Heburiedhiswifewithunfeignedregret-forhehadbeensincerelyattachedtoherinhisabsent-mindedway-andsentLucytoaHampsteadboardingschool。Afteraninterviewwithhislatewife’slawyertoseethattheincomewassafe，hesoughtforahouseinthecountry，andquicklydiscoveredGartleyGrange，whichnoonewouldtakebecauseofitsisolation。WithinthreemonthsfromtheburialofMrs。Braddock，thewidowerhadremovedhimselfandhiscollectiontoGartley，andhadrenamedhisnewabodethePyramids。Herebedweltquietlyandenjoyably-fromhisdry-as-dustpointofview-fortenyears，andhereLucyKendalhadcomewhenhereducationwascompleted。ThearrivalofamarriageableyoungladymadenodifferenceintheProfessor’shabits，andhehailedherthankfullyasthesuccessortohermotherinmanagingthesmallestablishment。ItistobefearedthatBraddockwassomewhatselfishinhisviews，butthefixedideaofarchaeologicalresearchmadehimegotistical。
Themansionwasthree-story，flat-roofed，extremelyuglyandunexpectedlycomfortable。Builtofmellowredbrickwithdingywhitestonefacings，itstoodafewyardsbackfromtheroadwaywhichranfromGartleyFortthroughthevillage，and，attheprecisepointwherethePyramidswassituated，curvedabruptlythroughwoodlandstoterminateamileaway，atJessum，thelocalstationoftheThamesRailwayLine。Anironrailing，embeddedinmolderingstonework，dividedthenarrowfrontgardenfromtheroad，andoneithersideofthedoor-whichcouldbereachedbyfiveshallowsteps-grewtwosmallyewtrees，smartlyclippedandtrimmedintoconesofdullgreen。Theseyewspossessedsomemagicalsignificance，whichProfessorBraddockwouldoccasionallyexplaintochancevisitorsinterestedinoccultmatters；for，amongstotherthingsEgyptian，thearchaeologistsearchedintothemagicoftheSonsofKhem，andinsistedthattherewasmoretruththansuperstitionintheirenchantments。
Braddockusedallthevastroomsofthegroundfloortohousehiscollectionofantiquities，whichhehadacquiredthroughmanylaboriousyears。Hedweltentirelyinthismuseum，ashisbedroomadjoinedhisstudy，andhefrequentlydevouredhishurriedmealsamongstthebrilliantlytintedmummycases。Theembalmeddeadpopulatedhisworld，andonlynowandthen，whenLucyinsisted，didheascendtothefirstfloor，whichwasherparticularabode。Herewasthedrawing-room，thedining-roomandLucy’sboudoir；herealsoweresundrybedrooms，furnishedandunfurnished，inoneofwhichMissKendalslept，whiletheothersremainedvacantforchancevisitors，principallyfromthescientificworld。Thethirdstorywasdevotedtothecook，herhusband-whoactedasgardener-andtothehouseparlormaid，acompositedomestic，whoworkedfrommorninguntilnightinkeepingthegreathouseclean。Duringthedaytheseservantsattendedtotheirbusinessinacomfortablebasement，wherethecookruledsupreme。Atthebackofthemansionstretchedafairlylargekitchengarden，towhichthecook’shusbanddevotedhisattention。Thiswastheentiredomainbelongingtothetenant，as，ofcourse，theProfessordidnotrentthearableacresandcomfortablefarmswhichhadbelongedtothedispossessedfamily。
Everythinginthehousewentsmoothly，asLucywasamethodicalyoungperson，whowentbytheclockandthealmanac。Braddocklittleknewhowmuchofhisundeniablecomfortheowedtoherfosteringcare；for，priortoherreturnfromschool，hehadbeenrobbedrightandleftbyunscrupulousdomestics。Whenhisstep-daughterarrivedhesimplyhandedoverthekeysandthehousekeepingmoney-afixedsum-andgaveherstrictinstructionsnottobotherhim。MissKendalfaithfullyobservedthisinjunction，assheenjoyedbeingundisputedmistress，andknewthat，solongasherstep-fatherhadhismeals，hisbed，hisbathandhisclothes，herequirednothingsavetheconstantsocietyofhisbelovedmummies，ofwhichnoonewishedtodeprivehim。Thesehedustedandcleansedandrearrangedhimself。NotevenLucydaredtoinvadethemuseum，andthemerementionofspringcleaningdrovetheProfessorintodisplayingfranticrage，inwhichheusedbadlanguage。
OnreturningfromherwalkwithArchie，thegirlhadluredherstep-fatherintoassumingarustydresssuit，whichhaddoneserviceformanyyears，andhadcoaxedhimintoapromisetobepresentatdinner。Mrs。Jasher，thelivelywidowofthedistrict，wascoming，andBraddockapprovedofawomanwholookeduptohimastheonewisemanintheworld。Evenscienceissusceptibletojudiciousflattery，andMrs。Jasherwasneverbackwardinputtingheradmirationintowords。FemalegossipdeclaredthatthewidowwishedtobecomethesecondMrs。
Braddock，butifthiswasreallythecase，shehadbutsmallchanceofgainingherend。TheProfessorhadoncesacrificedhislibertytosecureacompetence，and，havingacquiredfivehundredayear，wasnotinclinedforasecondmatrimonialventure。Hadthewidowbeenadollarheiresswithamillionatherbackhewouldnothavetroubledtoplacearingonherfinger。AndcertainlyMrs。Jasherhadlittletogainfromsuchadrearymarriage，beyondacollectionofrubbish-asshesaid-andadullcountryhousesituatedinadistrictinhabitedsolelybypeasantsbelongingtoSaxontimes。
ArchieHopeleftLucyatthedoorofthePyramidsandrepairedtohisvillagelodgings，forthepurposeofassumingeveningdress。
Lucy，beingherownhousekeeper，assistedtheoverworkedparlormaidtolayanddecoratethetablebeforereceivingtheguests。
ThusMrs。Jasherfoundnooneinthedrawing-roomtowelcomeher，and，takingtheprivilegeofoldfriendship，descendedtobeardBraddockinhisden。TheProfessorraisedhiseyesfromanewlyboughtscarabeustobeholdastoutlittleladysmilingonhimfromthedoorway。Hedidnotappeartobegratefulfortheinterruption，butMrs。Jasherwasnotatalldismayed，beingaman-hunterbyprofession。Besides，shesawthatBraddockwasinthecloudsasusual，andwouldhavereceivedtheKinghimselfinthesameabsent-mindedmanner。
"Pouf！whatanabominalsmell！"exclaimedthewidow，holdingaflimsylacehandkerchieftohernose。"Kindofcamphor-sandal-wood-charnel-housesmell。Iwonderyouarenotasphyxiated。Pouf！Ugh！Bur-r-r！"
TheProfessorstaredatherwithcold，fishyeyes。"Didyouspeak？"
"Oh，dearme，yes，andyoudon’tevenaskmetotakeachair。IfIwereanastystuffymummy，now，youwouldbeembracingmeby，thistime。Don’tyouknowthatIhavecometodinner，yousillyman？"andshetappedhimplayfullywithherclosedfan。
"Ihavehaddinner，"saidBraddock，egotisticasusual。
"No，youhavenot。"Mrs。Jasherspokepositively，andpointedtoasmalltrayofuntouchedfoodonthesidetable。"Youhavenotevenhadluncheon。Youmustliveonair，likeachameleon-oronlove，perhaps，"sheendedinasignificantlytendertone。
ButshemightaswellhavespokentothegraniteimageofHorusinthecorner。Braddockmerelyrubbedhischinandstaredharderthaneverattheglitteringvisitor。
"Dearme！"hesaidinnocently。"Imusthaveforgottentoeat。
Lamplight！"helookedroundvaguely。"Ofcourse，Irememberlightingthelamps。Timehasgonebyveryrapidly。Iamreallyhungry。"Hepausedtomakesure，thenrepeatedhisremarkinamorepositivemanner。"Yes，Iamveryhungry，Mrs。Jasher。"Helookedatherasthoughshehadjustentered。"Ofcourse，Mrs。
Jasher。Doyouwishtoseemeaboutanythingparticular？"
Thewidowfrownedathisinattention，andthenlaughed。Itwasimpossibletobeangrywiththisdreamer。
"Ihavecometodinner，Professor。Dotryandwakeup；youarehalfasleepandhalfstarved，too，Iexpect。"
"Icertainlyfeelunaccountablyhungry，"admittedBraddockcautiously。
"Unaccountably，whenyouhaveeatennothingsincebreakfast。Youweirdman，Ibelieveyouareamummyyourself。
ButtheProfessorhadagainreturnedtoexaminethescarabeus，thistimewithapowerfulmagnifyingglass。
"Itcertainlybelongstothetwentiethdynasty，"hemurmured，wrinklinghisbrows。
Mrs。Jasherstampedandflirtedherfanpettishly。Thecreature’ssoul，shedecided，wascertainlynotinhisbody，anduntilitcamebackhewouldcontinuetoignoreher。Withtheannoyanceofawomanwhoisnotgettingherownway，sheleanedbackinBraddock’sonecomfortablechair-whichshehadunerringlyselected-andexaminedhimintently。Perhapsthegossipswerecorrect，andshewastryingtoimaginewhatkindofahusbandhewouldmake。Butwhatevermightbeherthoughts，sheeyedBraddockasearnestlyasBraddockeyedthescarabeus。
OutwardlytheProfessordidnotappearlikethesavanthewasreportedtobe。Hewassmallofstature，plumpofbody，rosyasalittleCupid，andextraordinarilyyouthful，consideringhisfifty-oddyearsofscientificwearandtear。Withasmooth，clean-shavenface，plentifulwhitehairlikespunsilk，andneatfeetandhands，hedidnotlookhisage。Thedreamylookinhissmallblueeyeswasratherbeliedbythehardnessofhisthin-
lippedmouth，andbythepugnaciouspushofhisjaw。Theeyesandthedome-likeforeheadhintedthatbrainwithoutmuchoriginality；butthelowerpartofthiscontradictorycountenancemighthavebelongedtoaprize-fighter。Nevertheless，Braddock’splumpnessdidawaytoaconsiderableextentwithhisaggressivelook。Itwascertainlylatent，butonlycametothesurfacewhenhefoughtwithabrothersavantoversometomb-dwellerfromThebes。Inthesoftlamplighthelookedlikeafightingcherub，anditwasapity-intheinterestsofart-thatthehairlesspinkandwhitefacedidnotsurmountapairofwingsratherthanarustyandill-fittingdresssuit。
"He’snanesadaftyashelooks，"thoughtMrs。Jasher，whowasScotch，althoughsheclaimedtobecosmopolitan。"Withhismummiesheisallright，butoutsidethosehemightbedifficulttomanage。Andthesethings，"sheglancedroundtheshadowyroom，crowdedwiththedeadandtheirearthlybelongings。"I
don’tthinkIwouldcaretomarrytheBritishMuseum。Toomuchlikehardwork，andIamnotsoyoungasIwas。"
Thenearmirror-apolishedsilverone，whichhadbelonged，agesago，tosomecoquetteofMemphis-deniedthisuncomplimentarythought，forMrs。Jasherdidnotlookadayoverthirty，althoughherbirthcertificatesetherdownasforty-five。Inthelamplightshemighthavepassedforevenyounger，socarefullyhadshepreservedwhatremainedtoherofyouth。Sheassuredlywassomewhatstout，andneverhadbeensotallasshedesiredtobe。Butthelinesofherplumpfigurewerestilldiscernibleinthe，cunninglycutgown，andshecarriedherlittleselfwithsuchmightydignitythatpeopleoverlookedthemortifyingheightofatrifleoverfivefeet。Herfeaturesweresmallandneat，butherlargeblueeyesweresonoticeableandmeltingthatthoseonwhomsheturnedthemignoredthelackofboldnessinchinandnose。Herhairwasbrownandarrangedinthelatestfashion，whilehercomplexionwassofreshandpinkthat，ifshedidpaint-asjealouswomenaverred-shemusthavebeenquiteanartistwiththehare’sfootandtherougepotandthenecessarypowderpuff。
Mrs。Jasher’sclothesrepaidthethoughtsheexpendeduponthem，andshewasartisticinthisasinotherthings。Dressedinacrocus-yellowgown，withshortsleevestorevealherbeautifularms，andcutlowtodisplayhersplendidbust，shelookedperfectlydressed。Awomanwouldhavedeclaredthewide-nettedblacklacewithwhichthedresswasdrapedtobecheap，andwouldhavehintedthatthewidowworetoomanyjewelsinherhair，onhercorsage，roundherarms，andridiculouslygaudyringsonherfingers。Thismighthavebeentrue，forMrs。JashersparkledliketheMilkyWayateverymovement；butthegleamofgoldandtheflashofgemsseemedtosuitheropulentbeauty。HerslightestmovementwaftedaroundherastrangeChineseperfume，whichsheobtained-soshesaid-fromafriendofherlatehusband’swhowasintheBritishEmbassyatPekin。NoonepossessedthisespecialperfumebutMrs。Jasher，andanyonewhohadpreviouslymether，meetingherinthedarkness，couldhaveguessedatheridentity。Withasmiletoshowherwhiteteeth，withhergolden-hueddressandglitteringjewels，theprettywidowglowedinthatglimmeringroomlikeatropicalbird。
TheProfessorraisedhisdreamyeyesandlaidthebeetleononeside，whenhisbrainfullygraspedthatthischarmingvisionwaswaitingtobeentertained。Shewasbettertolookuponeventhanthebelovedscarabeus，andheadvancedtoshakehandsasthoughshehadjustenteredtheroom。Mrs。Jasher-knowinghisways-
rosetoextendherhand，andthetwosmall，stoutfigureslookedabsurdlylikeapairofchubbyDresdenornamentswhichhadsteppedfromthemantelshelf。
"Dearlady，Iamgladtoseeyou。Youhave-youhave"-theProfessorreflected，andthencamebackwitharushtothepresentcentury-"youhavecometodinner，ifImistakenot。"
"Lucyaskedmeaweekago，"sherepliedtartly，fornowomanlikestobeneglectedforamerebeetle，howeverancient。
"Thenyouwillcertainlygetagooddinner，"saidBraddock，wavinghisplumpwhitehands。"Lucyisanexcellenthousekeeper。
Ihavenofaulttofindwithher-nofaultatall。Butsheisobstinate-oh，veryobstinate，ashermotherwas。Doyouknow，dearlady，thatinapapyrusscrollwhichIlatelyacquiredI
foundtherecipeforagenuineEgyptiandish，whichAmenemha-
thelastPharaohoftheeleventhdynasty，youknow-mighthaveeaten，andprobablydideat。IdesiredLucytoserveitto-night，butsherefused，muchtomyannoyance。Theingredients，whichhadtodowithroastedgazelle，wereoilandcorianderseedand-ifmymemoryservesme-asafoetida。"
"Ugh！"Mrs。Jasher’shandkerchiefwentagaintohermouth。"Saynomore，Professor；yourdishsoundshorrid。Idon’twishtoeatit，andbeturnedintoamummybeforemytime。"
"Youwouldmakeareallybeautifulmummy，"saidBraddock，payingwhatheconceivedwasacompliment；"and，shouldyoudie，Ishallcertainlyattendtoyourembalming，ifyoupreferthattocremation。"
"Youdreadfulman！"criedthewidow，turningpaleandshrinking。
"Why，Ireallybelievethatyouwouldliketoseemepackedawayinoneofthosedisgustingcoffins。"
"Disgusting！"criedtheoutragedProfessor，strikingoneofthebrilliantlytintedcases。"Canyoucallsobeautifulaspecimenofsepulchralartdisgusting？Lookatthecolors，attheregularityofthehieroglyphics-why，thehistoryofthedeadissetoutinthismagnificentseriesofpictures。"Headjustedhispince-nezandbegantoread，"TheOsirian，Scemiophisthatisafemalename，Mrs。Jasher-who-"
"Idon’twanttohavemyhistorywrittenonmycoffin，"
interruptedthewidowhysterically，forthisfunerealtalkfrightenedher。"Itwouldtakemuchmorespacethanamummycaseuponwhichtowriteit。Mylifehasbeenvolcanic，Icantellyou。Bytheway，"sheaddedhurriedly，seeingthatBraddockwasontheeveofresumingthereading，"tellmeaboutyourIncamummy。Hasitarrived？"
TheProfessorimmediatelyfollowedthefalsetrail。"Notyet，"
hesaidbriskly，rubbinghissmoothhands，"butinthreedaysI
expectTheDiverwillbeatPierside，andSidneywillbringthemummyonhere。IshallunpackitatonceandlearnexactlyhowtheancientPeruviansembalmedtheirdead。Doubtlesstheylearnedtheartfrom-"
"TheEgyptians，"venturedMrs。Jasherrashly。
Braddockglared。"Nothingofthesort，dearlady，"hesnortedangrily。"Absurd，ridiculous！IaminclinedtobelievethatEgyptwasmerelyacolonyofthatvastislandofAtlantismentionedbyPlato。There-ifmytheoryiscorrect-
civilizationbegun，andthekingsofAtlantis-doubtlessthegodsofhistoricaltribes-governedthewholeworld，includingthatportionwhichwenowtermSouthAmerica。"
"DoyoumeantosaythattherewereYankeesinthosedays？"
inquiredMrs。Jasherfrivolously。
TheProfessortuckedhishandsunderhisshabbycoattailsandstrodeupanddowntheroomwarminghisrage，whichwasprovokedbysuchignorance。
"Goodheavens，madam，wherehaveyoulived？"heexclaimedexplosively-"areyouafool，ormerelyanignorantwoman？Iamtalkingofprehistorictimes，thousandsofyearsago，whenyouwereprobablyastrayatomembeddedintheslime。"
"Oh，youhorridcreature！"criedMrs。Jasherindignantly，andwasabouttogiveBraddockheropinion，ifonlytoshowhimthatshecouldholdherown，whenthedooropened。
"Howareyou，Mrs。Jasher？"saidLucy，advancing。
"HereamIandhereisArchie。Dinnerisready。Andyou-"
"Iamveryhungry，"saidMrs。Jasher。"Ihavebeencalledanatomoftheslime，"thenshelaughedandtookpossessionofyoungHope。
Lucywrinkledherbrow；shedidnotapproveofthewidow’sman-annexinginstinct。
CHAPTERIII
AMYSTERIOUSTOMB
OnememberoftheBraddockhouseholdwasnotincludedinthegeneralstaff，beingamereappendageoftheProfessorhimself。
Thiswasadwarfish，misshapenKanaka，apigmyinheight，butagiantinbreadth，withshort，thicklegs，andlong，powerfularms。Hehadalargehead，andasomewhathandsomeface，withmelancholyblackeyesandafinesetofwhiteteeth。LikemostPolynesians，hisskinwasofapalebronzeandelaboratelytattooed，eventhecheeksandchinbeingscoredwithcurvesandstraightlinesofmysticalimport。Butthemostnoticeablethingabouthimwashishugemopoffrizzledhair，which，bysomeprocess，knownonlytohimself，heusuallydyedavividyellow。
TheflaringlocksstreamingfromhisheadmadehimresembleaPeruvianimageofthesun，anditwasthispeculiarcoiffurewhichhadprocuredforhimtheoddnameofCockatoo。Thefactthatthisgrotesquecreatureinvariablyworeawhitedrillsuit，emphasizedstillmorethesuggestionofhislikenesstoanAustralianparrot。
CockatoohadcomefromtheSolomonIslandsinhisteenstothecolonyofQueensland，toworkontheplantations，andtheretheProfessorhadpickedhimupashisbodyservant。WhenBraddockreturnedtomarryMrs。Kendal，theboyhadrefusedtoleavehim，althoughitwasrepresentedtotheyoungsavagethathewassomewhattoobarbaricforsoberEngland。Finally，theProfessorhadconsentedtobringhimoverseas，andhadneverregretteddoingso，forCockatoo，findinghisscientificmasteratruefriend，worshippedhimasavisiblegod。HavingbeencapturedwhenyoungbyPacificblack-birders，hetalkedexcellentEnglish，andfromcontactwiththenecessaryrestraintsofcivilizationwas，onthewhole，extremelywellbehaved。Occasionally，whenteasedbythevillagersandhisfellow-servants，hewouldbreakintochildishrages，whichborderedonthedangerous。ButawordfromBraddockalwaysquietedhim，andwhenpenitenthewouldcrawllikeawhippeddogtothefeetofhisdivinity。Forthemostparthelivedentirelyinthemuseum，lookingafterthecollectionandguardingitfromharm。Lucy-whohadahorrorofthecreature’suncannylooks-objectedtoCockatoowaitingatthetable，anditwasonlyonrareoccasionsthathewaspermittedtoassisttheharassedparlormaid。OnthisnighttheKanakaactedexcellentlyasabutler，andcreptsoftlyroundthetable，attendingtotheneedsofthediners。Hewasanadmirableservant，deftandhandy，buthisblue-linedfaceandsquatfiguretogetherwiththeobtrusivelygoldenhalo，ratherworriedMrs。
Jasher。And，indeed，inspiteofcustom，Lucyalsofeltuncomfortablewhenthisgnomehoveredatherelbow。Itlookedasthoughoneofthefantasticalidolsfromthemuseumbelowhadcometohaunttheliving。
"IdonotlikethatGolliwog，"breathedMrs。Jashertoherhost，whenCockatoowasatthesideboard。"Hegivesmethecreeps。"
"Imagination，mydearlady，pureimagination。Whyshouldwenothaveapicturesqueanimaltowaituponus？"
"Hewouldwaitpicturesquelyenoughatacannibalfeast，"
suggestedArchie，withalaugh。
"Don’t！"murmuredLucy，withashiver。"Ishallnotbeabletoeatmydinnerifyoutalkso。"
"OddthatHopeshouldsaywhathehassaid，"observedBraddockconfidentlytothewidow。"Cockatoocomesfromacannibalisland，anddoubtlesshasseentheconsumptionofhumanflesh。
No，no，mydearlady，donotlooksoalarmed。Idon’tthinkhehaseatenany，ashewastakentoQueenslandlongbeforehecouldparticipateinsuchbanquets。Heisaverydecentanimal。"
"Averydangerousone，Ifancy，"retortedMrs。Jasher，wholookedpale。
"Onlywhenheloseshistemper，andI’malwaysabletosuppressthatwhenitisatitsworst。Youarenoteatingyourmeat，mydearlady。"
"Canyouwonderatit，andyoutalkofcannibals？"
"Letuschangetheconversationtocereals，"suggestedHope，whoseappetitewasofthebest-"wheat，forinstance。InthisqueerlittlevillageInoticethehousesaredividedbyafieldofwheat。Itseemswrongsomehowforcorntobebunchedupwithhouses。"
"That’soldFarmerJenkins，"saidLucyvivaciously；"heownsthreeorfouracresnearthepublic-houseandwillnotallowthemtobebuiltover，althoughhehasbeenofferedalotofmoney。I
noticedmyself，Archie，theoddityoffindingacornfieldsurroundedbycottages。It’slikeAliceinWonderland。"
"Butfancyanyoneofferingmoneyforlandhere，"observedHope，toyingwithhisclaretglass，whichhadjustbeenrefilled，bytheattentiveCockatoo，"attheBack-of-Beyond，asitwere。I
shouldn’tcaretolivehere-theneighborhoodissodesolate。"
"Allthesameyoudolivehere！"interposedMrs。Jashersmartly，andwitharoguishglanceatLucy。
ArchiecaughttheglanceandsawtheblushonMissKendal’sface。
"Youhaveansweredyourquestionyourself，Mrs。Jasher，"he-
said，smiling。"Ihavetheinducementyouhintattoremainhere，andcertainly，asalandscapepainter，Iadmirethemarshesandsunsets。AsanartistandanengagedmanIstopinGartley，otherwiseIshouldclearout。ButIfailtoseewhyaladyofyourattractionsshould-"
"Imayhaveasentimentalreasonalso，"interruptedthewidow，withaslyglanceattheabsent-mindedProfessor，whowasdrawinghieroglyphicsonthetable-clothwithafork；"also，mycottageischeapandverycomfortable。ThelateMr。JasherdidnotleavemesufficientmoneytoliveinLondon。HewasaconsulinChina，youknow，andconsulsareneververywellpaid。Iwillcomeinforalargeincome，however。"
"Indeed，"saidLucypolitely，andwonderingwhyMrs。Jasherwassocommunicative。"SoonIhope。"
"Itmaybeverysoon。Mybrother，youknow-amerchantinPekin。Hehascomehometodie，andisunmarried。Whenhedoesdie，IshallgotoLondon。But，"addedthewidow，meditativelyandglancingagainattheProfessor，"IshallbesorrytoleavedearGartley。Still，thememoryofhappyhoursspentinthishousewillalwaysremainwithme。Ahme！ahme！"andsheputherhandkerchieftohereyes。
LucytelegraphedtoArchiethatthewidowwasahumbug，andArchietelegraphedbackthathequiteagreedwithher。ButtheProfessor，whomthemomentarysilencehadbroughtbacktothepresentcentury，lookedupandaskedLucyifthedinnerwasfinished。
"Ihavetodosomeworkthisevening，"saidtheProfessor。
"Oh，father，whenyousaidthatyouwouldtakeaholiday，"saidLucyreproachfully。
"Iamdoingsonow。LookatthepreciousminutesIamwastingineating，mydear。LifeisshortandmuchremainstobedoneinthewayofEgyptianexploration。ThereisthesepulchreofQueenTahoser。IfIcouldonlyenterthat，"andhesighed，whilehelpinghimselftocream。
"Whydon’tyou？"askedMrs。Jasher，whowasbeginningtogiveupherpursuitofBraddock，foritwasnousewooingamanwhoseinterestscentredentirelyinEgyptiantombs。
"Ihaveyettodiscoverit，"saidtheProfessorsimply；then，warmingtothecongenialtheme，heglancedaroundanddeliveredashorthistoricallecture。"TahoserwasthechiefwifeandqueenofafamousPharaoh-thePharaohoftheExodus，infact。"
"TheonewhowasdrownedintheRedSea？"askedArchieidly。
"Why，yes-butthathappenedlater。BeforepursuingtheHebrews，-iftheMosaicaccountistobebelieved，-thisPharaohmarchedfarintotheinteriorofAfrica，-theLibyaoftheancients，-andconqueredthenativesofUpperEthiopia。
Beingdeeplyinlovewithhisqueen，hetookherwithhimonthisexpedition，andshediedbeforethePharaohreturnedtoMemphis。
>FromrecordswhichIdiscoveredinthemuseumofCairo，IhavereasontobelievethatthePharaohburiedherwithmuchpompinEthiopia，sacrificing，Ibelieve，manyprisonersathergorgeousfuneralrites。FromthewealthofthatPharaoh-forwealthyhemusthavebeenonaccountofhisnumerousvictories-andfromtheloveheborethisprincess，Iamconfident-confident，"
addedBraddock，strikingthetablevehemently，"thatwhendiscovered，hertombwillbefilledwithriches，andmayalsocontaindocumentsofincalculablevalue。"
"Andyouwishtogetthemoney？"askedMrs。Jasher，whowasratherbored。
TheProfessorrosefiercely。"Money！Icarenothingformoney。
Idesiretoobtainthefuneraljewelryandgoldenmasks，thepreciousimagesofthegods，soastoplacethemintheBritishMuseum。AndthescrollsofpapyrusburiedwiththemummyofTahosermaycontainanaccountofEthiopiancivilization，aboutwhichweknownothing。Oh，thattomb，-thattomb！"Braddockbegantowalktheroom，quiteforgettingthathehadnotfinishedhisdinner。"Iknowthemountainswhoseentrailswerepiercedtoformthesepulchre。WereIabletogotoAfrica，IamcertainthatIshoulddiscoverthetomb。Ah，withwhatglorywouldmynamebecovered，wereIsofortunate！"
"Whydon’tyougotoAfrica，sir，andtry？"askedHope。
"Fool！"criedtheProfessorpolitely。"Tofitoutanexpeditionwouldtakesomefivethousandpounds，ifnotmore。IwouldhavetopenetratethroughahostilecountrytoreachthechainofmountainsIspeakof，whereIknowthisprecioustombistobefound。Ineedsupplies，anescort，guns，camels，andalltherestofit。Aleadermustbeobtainedtomanagethefightingmennecessarytopassthroughthisdangerouszone。ItisnoeasytasktofindthetombofTahoser。AndyetifIcould-ifI
couldonlygetthemoney，"andhewalkedupanddownwithhisheadbentonhisbreast。
Mrs。JasherwasusedtoBraddock’svagariesbythistime，andmerelycontinuedtofanherselfplacidly。
"IwishIcouldhelpyouwiththeexpedition，"shesaidquietly。
"IshouldliketohavesomeofthatlovelyEgyptianjewelrymyself。ButIamquiteapauper，untilmybrotherdies，poorman。Then-"Shehesitated。
"Whatthen？"askedBraddock，wheeling。
"Ishallaidyouwithpleasure。"
"It’sabargain！"Braddockstretchedouthishand。
"Abargain，"saidMrs。Jasher，acceptingthegraspsomewhatnervously，forshehadnotexpectedtobetakensoreadilyatherword。AglanceatLucyrevealedhernervousness。
"Dositdown，father，andfinishyourdinner，"saidthatyounglady。"Iamsureyouwillhavemorethanenoughtodowhenthemummyarrives。"
"Mummy-whatmummy？"murmuredBraddock，againbeginningtoeat。
"TheIncamummy。"
"Ofcourse。ThemummyofIncaCaxas，whichSidneyisbringingfromMalta。WhenIstripthatcorpseofitsgreenbandagesI
shallfind-"
"Findwhat？"askedArchie，seeingthattheProfessorhesitated。
Braddockcastaswiftlookathisquestioner。
"IshallfindthepeculiarmodeofPeruvianembalming，"herepliedabruptly，andsomehowthewayinwhichhespokegaveHopetheimpressionthattheanswerwasanexcuse。ButbeforehecouldformulatethethoughtthatBraddockwasconcealingsomething，Mrs。Jasherspokefrivolously。
"Ihopeyourmummyhasjewels，"shesaid。
"Ithasnot，"repliedBraddocksharply。"SofarasIknow，theIncaraceneverburiedtheirdeadwithjewels，"
"ButIhavereadinPrescott’sHistorythattheydid，"saidHope。
"Prescott！Prescott！"criedtheProfessorcontemptuously，"amostunreliableauthority。However，I’llpromiseyouonething，Hope，thatifthereareanyjewels，orjewelry，youshallhavethelot。"
"Givemesome，Mr。Hope，"criedthewidow。
"Icannot，"laughedArchie；"thegreenmummybelongstotheProfessor。"
"Icannotacceptsuchagift，Hope。OwingtocircumstancesI
havebeenobligedtoborrowthemoneyfromyou；otherwisethemummywouldhavebeenacquiredbysomeoneelse。ButwhenIfindthetombofQueenTahoser，Ishallrepaytheloan。"
"Youhaverepaiditalready，"saidHope，lookingatLucy。
Braddock’seyesfollowedhisgazeandhisbrowscontracted。
"Humph！"hemuttered，"Idon’tknowifIamrightinconsentingtoLucy’smarriagewithapauper。"
"Oh，father！"criedthegirl，"Archieisnotapauper。"
"IhaveenoughforLucyandmetoliveon，"saidHope，althoughhisfacehadflushed，"and，hadIbeenapauperIcouldnothavegivenyouthatthousandpounds。"
"Youwillberepaid-youwillberepaid，"saidBraddock，wavinghishandtodismissthesubject。"Andnow，"herosewithayawn，"ifthistediousfeastisatanend，Ishallagainseekmywork。"
WithoutawordofapologytothedisgustedMrs。Jasher，hetrottedtothedoor，andtherepaused。
"Bytheway，Lucy，"hesaid，turning，"Ihadaletterto-dayfromRandom。HereturnsinhisyachttoPiersideintwoorthreedays。Infact，hisarrivalwillcoincidewiththatofTheDiver。"
"Idon’tseewhathisarrivalhastodowithme，"saidLucytartly。
"Oh，nothingatall-nothingatall，"saidBraddockairily，"onlyIthought-thatis，butnevermind，nevermind。Cockatoo，comedownwithme。Goodnight！Goodnight！"andhedisappeared。
"Well，"saidMrs。Jasher，drawingalongbreath，"forrudenessandselfishness，commendmetoascientist。Wemightbeallmud，forwhatnoticehetakesofus。"
"Nevermind，"saidMissKendal，rising，"cometothedrawing-roomandhavesomemusic。Archie，willyoustophere？"
"No。Idon’tcaretositovermywinealone，"saidthatyounggentleman，rising。"IshallaccompanyyouandMrs。Jasher。AndLucy，"hestoppedheratthedoor，throughwhichthewidowhadalreadypassed，"whatdidyourfathermeanbyhishintsconcerningRandom？"
"Ithinkheregretsgivinghisconsenttomymarriagewithyou，"
shewhisperedback。"Didyounothearhimtalkaboutthattomb？
Hedesirestogetmoneyfortheexpedition。"
"FromRandom？Whatrubbish！Soonerthanthat-ifourmarriageisstoppedbythebeastlybusiness-I’llselloutand-"
"You’lldonothingofthesort，"interruptedthegirlimperiously；"wemustliveifwemarry。Youhavegivenmyfatherenough。"
"ButifRandomlendsmoneyforthisexpedition？"
"Hedoessoathisownrisk。IamnotgoingtomarrySirFrankbecauseofmystep-father’srequirements。Hehasnorightsoverme，and，whetherheconsentsornot，Imarryyou。"
"Mydarling！"andArchiekissedherbeforetheyfollowedMrs。
Jasherintothedrawing-room。Allthesame，heforesawtrouble。
CHAPTERIV
THEUNEXPECTED
Forthenexttwoorthreedays，Archiefeltdecidedly，worriedoverhisprojectedmarriagewithLucy。Certainlyhehad-toputitbluntly-purchasedBraddock’sconsent，andthatgentlemancouldscarcelydrawbackfromhisplightedword，whichhadcosttheloversomuch。Nevertheless，Hopedidnotentirely，trusttheProfessor，as，fromthefewwordswhichhehadletdropatthedinnerparty，itwasplainthathehankeredaftermoneywithwhichtofitouttheexpeditioninsearchofthemysterioustombtowhichhehadalluded。Archieknew，asdidtheProfessor，thathecouldnotsupplythenecessaryfivethousandpoundswithoutpracticallyruininghimself，andalreadyhehadcrippledhisresourcesinpayingoverthepriceofthegreenmummy。HehadfondlybelievedthatBraddockwouldhavebeensatisfiedwiththerelicofPeruvianhumanity；butitseemedthattheProfessor，havinggotwhathewanted，nowclamoredforwhatwasatpresentbeyondhisreach。Themummywashisproperty，buthedesiredthecontentsofQueenTahoser’stombalso。Thisparticularmoon，whichhecriedfor，wasaveryexpensivearticle，andHopedidnotseehowhecouldgainit。
Unless-andherecameinthecauseofArchie’sworry-unlessthefivethousandpoundswasborrowedfromSirFrankRandom，theProfessorwouldhavetocontenthimselfwiththeMaltesemummy。
ButfromwhattheyoungmanhadseenofBraddock’slongingfortheespecialsepulchre，whichhedesiredtoloot，hebelievedthatthescientistwouldnotreadilysurrenderhiswhim。Randomcouldeasilylendorgivethemoney，sincehewasextremelyrich，andextremelygenerous，butitwasimprobablethathewouldaidBraddockwithoutaquidproquo。Asthesoledesireofthebaronet’sheartwastomakeLucyhiswife，itcouldeasilybeguessedthathewouldonlyassisttheProfessortorealizehisambitiononconditionthatthesavantusedhisinfluencewithhisstepdaughter。ThatmeantthebreakingoftheengagementwithHopeandthemarriageofthegirltothesoldier。OfcoursesuchastateofthingswouldmakeLucyunhappy；butBraddockcaredverylittleforthat。TogratifyhiscrazeforEgyptianresearch，hewouldbewillingtosacrificeadozengirlslikeLucy。
UndoubtedlyLucywouldrefusetobepassedalongfromonemantoanotherlikeabaleofgoods，andArchieknewthat，sofarasinherlay，shewouldkeeptoherengagement，especiallyasshedeniedBraddock’srighttodisposeofherhand。Allthesame，theProfessor，inspiteofhischerubicallooks，couldmakehimselfextremelydisagreeable，andundoubtedlywoulddosoifthwarted。Thesolecoursethatremained，shouldBraddockbeginoperationstobreakthepresentengagement，wouldbetomarryLucyatonce。Archiewouldwillinglyhavedoneso，butpecuniarydifficultiesstoodintheway。Hehadnevertoldanyoneofthese，noteventhegirlheloved，buttheyexistedallthesame。
Formanyyearshehadbeenassistingneedyrelatives，andthushadhamperedhimself，inspiteofhisincome。Bysheerforceofwill，soastoforceBraddockintogivinghimLucy，hehadcontrivedtosecurethenecessarythousandpounds，withoutconfusingthearrangementshehadmadetopayoffcertaindebtsconnectedwithhisdomesticphilanthropy；butthisbroughthimtotheendofhisresources。Insixmonthshehopedtobefreetohavehisincomeentirelytohimself，andthen-smallasitwas-
hecouldsupportawife。ButuntilthehalfyearelapsedhecouldseenochanceofmarryingLucywithanydegreeofcomfort，andmeanwhileshewouldbeexposedtothepersecutionsoftheProfessor。Perhapspersecutionsistooharshaword，asBraddockwaskindenoughtothegirl。Nevertheless，hewaspertinaciousingaininghisaimswherehispethobbywasconcerned，andundoubtedly，couldheseeanychanceofobtainingthemoneyfromRandombysellinghisstep-daughter，hewoulddoso。Assuredlyitwasdishonorabletoactinthisway，buttheProfessorwasascientificJesuit，anddeemedthattheendjustifiedthemeans，whenanyglorytohimselfandgaintotheBritishMuseumwasinquestion。
"ButImaybedoinghimaninjustice，"saidArchie，whenhewasexplaininghisfearstoMissKendalonthethirddayafterthedinnerparty。Afterall，theProfessorisagentleman，andwillprobablyholdtothebargainwhichhehasmade。"
"Idon’tcarewhetherhedoesornot，"criedLucy，whohadafinecolorandacertainamountoffireinhereyes。"Iamnotgoingtobeboughtandsoldtoforwardthesenastyscientificschemes。
Myfathercansaywhathelikesanddowhathelikes，butImarryyou-to-morrowifyoulike。"
"That’sjustit，"saidArchie，flushing，"wecan’tmarry。"
"Why？"sheasked，muchastonished。
Hopelookedatthegroundanddrewpatternswithhiscane-pointinthesand。Theywereseatedinthehotsunshine-fortheIndiansummerstillcontinued-underamolderingbrickwall，whichranaroundthemostdelightfulofkitchengardens。ThiswassituatedatthebackofthePyramids，andcontainedamultiplicityofpotherbsandfruittreesandvegetables。ItresembledtheFairyGardeninMadameD’Alnoy’sstoryofTheWhiteCat，andintheautumnyieldedaplentifulcropoffine-flavoredfruit。Butnowthetreeswerebareandthegardenlookedsomewhatforlornforlackofgreenery。Butinspiteofthelatenessoftheseason，Lucyoftenbroughtabooktoreadundertheglowingwall，andthereripenedlikeapeachinthewarmsunshine。OnthisoccasionshebroughtArchieintotheold-worldgarden，ashehadhintedatconfidences。Andthetimehadcometospeakplainly，asHopebegantothinkthathehadnottreatedLucyquitefairlyinhidingfromherhismomentarilyembarrassedposition。
"Whycan’twemarryatonce？"askedLucy，seeingthatherloverheldhispeaceandlookedconfused。
Hopedidnotreplydirectly。"Ihadbetterreleaseyoufromyourengagement，"hesaidhaltingly。
"Oh！"Lucy’snostrilsdilatedandshethrewbackherheadscornfully。"Andtheotherwoman’sname？"
"Thereisnootherwoman。Iloveyouandyouonly。But-
money。"
"Whataboutmoney？Youhaveyourincome！"
"Ohyes-thatissure，smallasitis。ButIHaveincurreddebtsonbehalfofanuncleandhisfamily。Thesehaveembarrassedmeforthemoment，andsoIcannotseemywaytomarryingyouforatleastsixmonths，Lucy。"Hecaughtherhand。
"IfeelashamedofmyselfthatIdidnottellyouofthisbefore。
ButIfearedtoloseyou。Yet，onreflection，Iseethatitisdishonorabletokeepyouinthedark，andifyouthinkthatI
havebehavedbadly-"
"Well，Idoinaway，"sheinterruptedquickly，"asyoursilencewasquiteunnecessary。Don’ttreatmeasadoll，mydear。I
wishtoshareyourtroublesaswellasyourjoys。Come，tellmeallaboutit。"
"Youarenotangry？"
"Yes，Iam-atyourthinkingIlovedyousolittleastobebiasedagainstourmarriagebecauseofmoneytroubles。Pooh！"
sheflickedawayaspeckofdustfromhiscoat，"Idon’tcarethatforsuchthings。"
"Youareanangel，"hecriedardently。
"Iamaverypracticalgirljustnow，"sheretorted。"Goon，confess！"
Archie，thusencouraged，didso，anditwasaverymildconfessionthatsheheard，involvingagreatdealofunnecessarysacrificeinhelpingapauperuncle。Hopestrovetobelittlehisgooddeedsasmuchaspossible，butLucysawplainlythegoodheartthathaddictatedthegivingupofhissmallincomeforsomeyears。Wheninpossessionofallthefacts，shethrewherarmsaroundhisneckandkissedhim。
"Youareasillyoldboy，"shewhispered。"Asifwhatyoutellmecouldmakeanydifferencetome！"
"Butwecan’tbemarriedforsixmonths，dearest。"
"Ofcoursenot。DoyoubelievethatIasawomancangathertogethermytrousseauundersixmonths？No，mydear。Wemustnotmarryinhastetorepentatleisure。Inanotherhalfyearyouwillenjoyyourownincome，andthenwecanmarry。"
"Butmeanwhile，"saidArchie，afterkissingher，"theProfessorwillbotheryoutomarryRandom。"
"Ohno。Hehassoldmetoyouforonethousandpounds。There！
There，donotsayasingleword。Iamonlyteasingyou。Letussaythatmyfatherhasconsentedtomymarriagewithyou，andcannotwithdrawhisword。NotthatIcareifhedoes。Iammyownmistress。"
"Lucy！"-hetookherhandsagainandlookedintohereyes-
"Braddockisascientificlunatic，andwoulddoanythingtoforwardhisaimswithregardtothisveryexpensivetomb，whichhehassethisheartondiscovering。AsIcan’tlendorgivethemoney，heissuretoapplytoRandom，andRandom-"
"Willwanttomarryme，"criedLucy，rising。"No，mydear，notatall。SirFrankisagentleman，andwhenhelearnsthatIamengagedtoyou，hewillsimplybecomeadearfriend。There，don’tworryanymoreaboutthematter。Yououghttohavetoldmeofyourtroublesbefore，butasIhaveforgivenyou，thereisnomoretobesaid。InsixmonthsIshallbecomeMrs。Hope，andmeanwhileIcanholdmyownagainstanyinconveniencethatmyfathermaycauseme。"
"But-"Heroseandbegantoremonstrate，anxioustoabasehimselfstillfurtherbeforethisangelofamaiden。
Sheplacedherhandoverhismouth。"Notanotherword，orI
shallboxyourears，sir-thatis，IshallexercisetheprivilegeofawifebeforeIbecomeone。Andnow，"sheslippedherarmwithinhis，"letusgoinandseethearrivalofthepreciousmummy。"
"Oh，ithasarrivedthen。"
"Nothereexactly。Myfatherexpectsitatthreeo’clock。"
"Itisnowaquarterto，"saidArchie，consultinghiswatch。"AsIhavebeentoLondonallyesterdayIdidnotknowthatTheDiverhadarrivedatPierside，HowisBolton？"
Lucywrinkledherbrows。"IamratherworriedoverSidney，"shesaidinananxiousvoice，"andsoismyfather。Hehadnotappeared。"
"Whatdoyoumeanbythat？"
"Well，"shelookedatthegroundinaponderingmanner，"myfathergotaletterfromSidneyyesterdayafternoon，sayingthattheshipwiththemummyandhimselfonboardhadarrivedaboutfouro’clock。Theletterwassentonbyspecialmessengerandcameatsix。"
"Thenitarrivedintheeveningandnotintheafternoon？"
"Howparticularyouare！"saidMissKendal，withashrug。"Well，then，Sidneysaidthathecouldnotbringthemummytothisplacelastnightasitwassolate。Heintended-sohetoldmyfatherintheletter-toremovethecasecontainingthemummyashoretoaninnnearthewharfatPierside，andtherewouldremainthenightsoastotakecareofit。"
"That’sallright，"saidHope，puzzled。"Where’syourdifficulty？"
"Anotecamefromthelandlordoftheinnthismorning，sayingthatbydirectionofMr。Bolton-thatisSidney，youknow-hewassendingthemummyinitscasetoGartleyonalorry，andthatitwouldarriveatthreeo’clockthisafternoon。"
"Well？"askedHope，stillpuzzled。
"Well？"sherejoinedimpatiently。"Can’tyouseeshowstrangeitisthatSidneyshouldletthemummyoutofhissight，afterguardingitsocarefullynotonlyfromMaltatoEngland，butallthenightinPiersideatthathotel？Whydoesn’thebringthemummyherehimself，andcomeonwiththelorry？"
"Thereisnoexplanation-noletterfromSidneyBolton？"
"None。Hewroteyesterday，asIstated，sayingthathewouldkeepthecaseinthehotel，andsenditonthismorning。"
"Didheusetheword`send，’ortheword`bring’？"
"Hesaid’send。’"
"Thenthatshowshedidnotintendtobringithimself。"
"Butwhyshouldhenotdoso？"
"Idaresayhewillexplainwhenheappears。"
"Iamverysorryforhimwhenhedoesappear，"saidLucyseriously，"formyfatherisfurious。Why，thispreciousmummy，forwhichsomuchhasbeenpaid，mighthavebeenlost。"
"Pooh！Whowouldstealathinglikethat？"
"Athinglikethatisworthnearlyonethousandpounds，"saidLucyinadrytone，"andifanyonegotwindofit，stealingwouldbeeasy，sinceSidney，asappearslikely，hassentonthecaseunguarded。"