And now the donkeys, and the donkey boys, and the dragomans were all
standing at the steps of Shepheard's Hotel. To each donkey there was a
donkey-boy, and to each gentleman there was a dragoman, so that a
goodly cortege was assembled, and a goodly noise was made. It may here
be remarked, perhaps with some little pride, that not half the noise is
given in Egypt to persons speaking any other language that is bestowed
on those whose vocabulary is English.

This lasted for half an hour. Had the party been French the donkeys
would have arrived only fifteen minutes before the appointed time. And
then out came Damer pere and Damer mere, Damer fille, and Damer fils.
Damer mere was leaning on her husband, as was her wont. She was not an
unprotected female, and had no desire to make any attempts in that
line. Damer fille was attended sedulously by Mr. Ingram, for whose
demolishment, however, Mr. Damer still brought up, in a loud voice, the
fag ends of certain political arguments which he would fain have poured
direct into the ears of his opponent, had not his wife been so
persistent in claiming her privileges. M. Delabordeau should have
followed with Miss Dawkins, but his French politeness, or else his fear
of the unprotected female, taught him to walk on the other side of the
mistress of the party.

Miss Dawkins left the house with an eager young Damer yelling on each
side of her; but nevertheless, though thus neglected by the gentlemen
of the party, she was all smiles and prettiness, and looked so sweetly
on Mr. Ingram when that gentleman stayed a moment to help her on to her
donkey, that his heart almost misgave him for leaving her as soon as
she was in her seat.

And then they were off. In going from the hotel to the Pyramids our