Even thus abridged, it bade fair to last throughout the journey, both
the little maidens being sufficiently experienced travellers to care
little for the sights from the French railway, and being only
stimulated to talk and listen the more eagerly when interrupted by
such trifles as meals, companions, and calls to look at objects far
less interesting.
"Look, my dears; we are coming to the mountains. There is the first
snowy head."
"Yes, mamma," but the hats were together again in the corner.
"Come, Sydney, don't lose this wonderful winding valley."
"I see, Uncle James. Beautiful!" popping back instantly with, "Go
on, Babie, dear. How did Sir Gilbert get them out of that horrid
defile full of Turks? It is true, you said."
"True that Louis VII. and Queen Eleanor got into that dreadful mess.
Armine found it in Sismondi, but nobody knew who Sir Gilbert was
except ourselves; and we are quite sure he was Sir Gilbert of the
Ermine, the son of the brother who thought it his duty to stay at
home."
"Sir Philibert? Oh, yes! I know."
"There are some verses about the Iconium Pass, written out in our
spotted book, but I can say some of them."
"Oh, do!"
"'The rock is steep, the gorge is deep,
Mount Joye St.
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