"We shall lose a fine opportunity if I put off going to Cairo, and I am very much afraid I must go, Handel, when you most need me."

     "Herbert, I shall always need you, because I shall always love you; but my need is no greater now than at another time."

     "You will be so lonely."

     "I have not leisure to think of that," said I. "You know that I am always with him to the full extent of the time allowed, and that I should be with him all day long, if I could. And when I come away from him, you know that my thoughts are with him."

     The dreadful condition to which he was brought, was so appalling to both of us, that we could not refer to it in plainer words.

     "My dear fellow," said Herbert, "let the near prospect of our separation--for, it is very near--be my justification for troubling you about yourself. Have you thought of your future?"

     "No, for I have been afraid to think of any future."

     "But yours cannot be dismissed; indeed, my dear dear Handel, it must not be dismissed. I wish you would enter on it now, as far as a few friendly words go, with me."