r plans to be
altered by the arrival of the Bertrams at Jerusalem; and confessed
also that Miss Baker's complaisance in this respect had been brought
about by her niece's persuasion. Their original intention had been
to go on to Damascus. Then Miss Baker had begged off this further
journey, alleging that her clothes as well as her strength were
worn out; and Caroline had consented to return home by the shortest
route. Then came the temptation of going as far as Beyrout with the
Bertrams, and Miss Baker had been enjoined to have herself patched
up externally and internally. She was accordingly being patched up;
but now things were altered again. Caroline knew that she could not
travel with George Bertram without engaging herself to be his wife;
or that if she did, their journey would not be a happy one. And
she did not wish so to engage herself without further thought. She
determined, therefore, that they would fall back upon her aunt's
plan, and return home by the easier route, by Jaffa, that is, and
Alexandria.

Her altered mind had to be explained, not only to her aunt, but
to the Bertrams; and she came to the somewhat singular resolve to
explain it in both cases by the simple truth. She would tell her
aunt what had happened; and she would make George Bertram understand
in a few and as kind words as might be, that under the present
circumstances it would be better that they should not be thrown into
the very close intercourse necessary for fellow-travellers in the
East. She was very prudent, was Miss Waddington; and having freed
herself of one lover because she did not like him, she prepared to
rid herself of another because she did.

The Bertrams were to leave Jerusalem together in a couple of days'
time. George was to go with his father as far as Constantinople, and,
having seen something of real Turks in real Turkey, was to return at
once to England. After his last visit to the Mount of Olives, he said
nothing further about the church as a profession.

That evening Caroline settled it all with her aunt. "Aunt," said she,
as they sat together brushing their hair before they went to bed,
"you will think me very fanciful; but after all, I believe we had
better go back by Alexandria."

"Oh dear, I shall be so glad, my dear. Jane says that I could not
possibly get a travelling dress made here that I could wear."

"You could get a dress in Damascus, I don't doubt, aunt. But--"

"And I really am not fit for much m