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"Eugene Aram," said Houseman, "there is about you something against which the fiercer devil within me would rise in vain. I have read that the tiger can be awed by the human eye, and you compell me into submission by a spell equally unaccountable.
Lester was about to answer, when, at a turn in the road which brought the carriage within view, they perceived two figures in white hastening towards them; and ere Aram was prepared for the surprise, Madeline had sunk pale, trembling, and all breathless on his breast. "I could not keep her back," said Ellinor, apologetically, to her father. "Back! and why?
"Good evening, Eugene Aram," said the stranger; and as he spoke, he touched his hat slightly to Madeline. "I thank you," replied the Student, in a calm voice; "do you want aught with me?" "Humph! yes, if it so please you?" "Pardon me, dear Madeline," said Aram softly, and disengaging himself from her, "but for one moment."
"Trifle not with me, Houseman," said Aram sternly; "I scarcely yet understand you. Do you mean to imply, that yourself, and the lawless associates you say you have joined, are lying out now for plunder in these parts?" "You say it: perhaps you heard of our exploits last night, some four miles hence?" "Ha! was that villainy yours?" "Villainy!" repeated Houseman, in a tone of sullen offence.
As for Lud although through the wickedness of his heart he forsook his father Shem, and so the true religion; yet a promise is made of his conversion, when God calls home the children of Japheth, and persuadeth them to dwell in the tents of Shem. Of Asshur I have spoken before. Ver. 23. "And the children of Aram; Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Mash."
"Ilia subter Caecum vulnus habes; sed lato balteus auro Praetegit." Persius. Several days elapsed before the family of the manor-house encountered Aram again. The old woman came once or twice to present the inquiries of her master as to Miss Lester's accident; but Aram himself did not appear.
"Come, Master Aram, these words must not pass between you and me, friends of such date, and on such a footing." "Talk not of the past," replied Aram with a livid lip, "and call not those whom Destiny once, in despite of Nature, drove down her dark tide in a momentary companionship, by the name of friends.
As he sailed towards the land of Aram, he passed by Messis, by Antioch, where he admired the arrangements for supplying the city with water, and by Latakia on his way to Tripoli, which he found had been recently shaken by an earthquake, that had been felt for miles round.
"Ha! my Lord, you say well you say well," said Aram, with a marked change of countenance; and, quickening his pace, he joined Lester's side, and the thread of the previous conversation was broken off. "You will pardon me," said he, "but I cannot convince myself that man would be happier were he without emotions; and that to enjoy life he should be solely dependant on himself!"
But if he were as rich as my lord, he could not be more respected; the greatest folks in the country come in their carriages and four to see him. Lord bless you, there is not a name more talked on in the whole county than Eugene Aram." "What!" cried the Traveller, his countenance changing as he sprung from his seat; "what! Aram! did you say Aram? Great God! how strange!"
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