r the food of man has mysteriously withered throughout
Europe, and they are already pale at the possible consequences. This
slight eccentricity of that nature which they boast they can command has
already shaken empires, and may decide the fate of nations. No, gentle
lady, Europe is not happy. Amid its false excitement, its bustling
invention, and its endless toil, a profound melancholy broods over its
spirit and gnaws at its heart. In vain they baptise their tumult by the
name of progress; the whisper of a demon is ever asking them, "Progress,
from whence and to what?" Excepting those who still cling to your
Arabian creeds, Europe, that quarter of the globe to which God has never
spoken, Europe is without consolation.'

CHAPTER XXXIX.

_Freedom_

THREE or four days had elapsed since the departure of Fakredeen, and
during each of them Tancred saw Eva; indeed, his hours were much passed
in the pavilion of the great Sheikh, and, though he was never alone with
the daughter of Besso, the language which they spoke, unknown to those
about them, permitted them to confer without restraint on those subjects
in which they were interested. Tancred opened his mind without reserve
to Eva, for he liked to test the soundness of his conclusions by her
clear intelligence. Her lofty spirit harmonised with his own high-toned
soul. He found both sympathy and inspiration in her heroic purposes. Her
passionate love of her race, her deep faith in the destiny and genius
of her Asian land, greatly interested him. To his present position she
referred occasionally, but with reluctance; it seemed as if she thought
it unkind entirely to pass it over, yet that to be reminded of it
was not satisfactory. Of Fakredeen she spoke much and frequently. She
expressed with frankness, even with warmth, her natural and deep regard
for him, the interest she took in his career, and the high opinion she
entertained of his powers; but she lamented his inventive restlessness,
which often arrested action, and intimated how much he might profit
by the counsels of a friend more distinguished for consistency and
sternness of purpose.

In the midst of all this, Fakredeen returned. He came in the early
morning, and immediately repaired to the pavilion of the great Sheikh,
with whom he was long closeted. Baroni first brought the news to
Tancred, and subsequently told him that the quantity of nargilehs smoked
by the young Emir indicated not only a prolonged,