On the following morning I was dressed at six, and, looking out of
my bed-room, I saw the boat in which we were to be wafted into Asia
being brought up to the quay close under my window. It had been
arranged that we should start early, so as to avoid the mid-day sun,
breakfast in the boat,--Mahmoud in this way engaged to provide me
with two refections,--take our rest at noon in a pavilion which had
been built close upon the well of the patriarch, and then eat our
dinner, and return riding upon camels in the cool of the evening.
Nothing could sound more pleasant than such a plan; and knowing as I
did that the hampers of provisions had already been sent over, I did
not doubt that the table arrangements would be excellent. Even now,
standing at my window, I could see a basket laden with long-necked
bottles going into the boat, and became aware that we should not
depend altogether for our morning repast on that gritty coffee which
my friend Mahmoud's followers prepared.

I had promised to be ready at six, and having carefully completed my
toilet, and put a clean collar and comb into my pocket ready for
dinner, I descended to the great gateway and walked slowly round to
the quay. As I passed out, the porter greeted me with a low
obeisance, and walking on, I felt that I stepped the ground with a
sort of dignity of which I had before been ignorant. It is not, as
a rule, the man who gives grace and honour to the position, but the
position which confers the grace and honour upon the man. I have
often envied the solemn gravity and grand demeanour of the Lord
Chancellor, as I have seen him on the bench; but I almost think that
even Judkins would look grave and dignified under such a wig.
Mahmoud al Ackbar had called upon me and done me honour, and I felt
myself personally capable of sustaining before the people of Suez