It was now that Mr. Peterkin prided himself upon the plan he had insisted upon before leaving home.  “Was it not well,” he exclaimed, “that I provided each of you with a bag of gold, for use in case of emergency, hidden in the lining of your hand-bags?”

This had worked badly for Elizabeth Eliza, to be sure, who had left hers at Brindisi; but the little boys had been able to pay some of their expenses, which encouraged the preceptor to believe he might trust them for the rest.  So much pleased were all the family with the preceptor that they decided that all three of the little boys should continue under his instructions, and return with him to Gratz.  This decision made more easy the other plans of the family.

Both Agamemnon and Solomon John had decided they would like to be foreign consuls.  They did not much care where, and they would accept any appointment; and both, it appeared, had written on the subject to the Department at Washington.  Agamemnon had put in a plea for a vacancy at Madagascar, and Solomon John hoped for an opening at Rustchuk, Turkey; if not there, at Aintab, Syria.  Answers were expected, which were now telegraphed for, to meet them in Constantinople.

Meanwhile Mr. Peterkin had been consulting the preceptor and the Russian Count about a land-journey home.  More and more Mrs. Peterkin determined she could not and would not trust herself to another voyage, though she consented to travel by steamer to Constantinople.  If they went as far as Nijninovgorod, which was now decided upon, why could they not persevere through “Russia in Asia”?

Their Russian friend at first shook his head at this, but at last agreed that it might be possible to go on from Novgorod comfortably to Tobolsk, perhaps even from there to Yakoutsk, and then to Kamtschatka.

“And cross at Behring’s Strait!” exclaimed Mrs. Peterkin.  “It looks so narrow on the map.”

“And then we are in Alaska,” said Mr. Peterkin.

“And at home,” exclaimed Mrs. Peterkin, “and no more voyages.”

But Elizabeth Eliza doubted about Kamtschatka and Behring’s Strait, and thought it would be very cold.

“But we can buy furs on our way,” insisted Mrs. Peterkin.

“And if you do not find the journey agreeable,” said their Russian friend, “you can turn back from Yakoutsk, even from Tobolsk, and come to visit us.”

Yes—­us!  For Elizabeth Eliza was to marry the Russian Count!

He had been in a boat that was behind them on the Nile, had met them often, had climbed the ruins with them, joined their excursions, and had finally proposed at Edfu.

Elizabeth Eliza had then just written to consult the lady from Philadelphia with regard to the offer of a German professor they had met, and she could give no reply to the Count.

Now, however, it was necessary to make a decision.  She had meanwhile learned a few words of Russian.  The Count spoke English moderately well, made himself understood better than the Professor, and could understand Elizabeth Eliza’s French.  Also the Count knew how to decide questions readily, while the Professor had to consider both sides before he could make up his mind.