It was far from Dr. Sandeman's thought to blaspheme that creed of youth which stamps the signet of eternity upon its love, its joy, its suffering, its despair. Old as he was, his own heart had kept too young for that. He said, "When you return to your own land, you will find waiting for you interests and pursuits, cares and duties also, which will engross your energies, and fill your life." "Not my life," Jack answered. "When I wedded Shushan, I wedded her race." "If indeed God calls you to help in drying the tears of this 'Niobe of nations,' I can think of no higher calling," Dr. Sandeman answered with emotion. "But for that hope," said Jack, "do you think I could leave this place? Do you think I could abandon all these helpless sufferers, and that heroic woman, whose name a thousand times over deserves the 'Saint' before it, if only we Protestants had a calendar of our own, as we ought?" "But we never could," said the missionary with a smile; "it would need a page for every day. However, Miss Celandine herself is urging your departure." "And things for the present seem quieter," Jack added. "_Safe_ can nothing be, in this miserable land. I am glad Vahanian is staying; he will be a great help." "Yes," said the missionary, "and he is glad to work here for the present, though he still keeps the dream and longing of his heart; and he thinks God will fulfil it one day, and allow him to make known the gospel of His grace to the Turks. Miss Celandine is beginning to gather in the orphans, a few of them--poor, destitute, starving little ones! Did you hear that Baron Vartonian has lent his house to give them shelter?" "No; I am glad to think of the home I knew being used for such a purpose. And it will comfort his own desolate heart." "But now for yourself, Mr. Grayson. Are you ready for the journey?" "Yes," returned Jack, with a rather mournful smile. "You see, I have no packing to do." "Right; the less you carry the better." "Here is the one treasure I bring back from Armenia; and I have learned here, as perhaps I should never have learned elsewhere, what a treasure it is," Jack said, producing his father's Bible. "By right," he added, "it should belong to Oriort Elmas, for it is the book of her betrothal; but she and Kevork both say I must take it back, on account of its memories. I wish, Doctor, those two could come to England with me." "With you they cannot come. But I wish they could follow you; for Kevork seems to have taken an active share in resisting the Turks at the time of the first massacre, and such things are not forgotten." "The Turks forget nothing--except their promises," said Jack. "But, Dr. Sandeman, there is another matter which causes me some embarrassment. I am absolutely without money. The fact is, I have been living upon these poor people, and latterly upon Miss Celandine."