"
Hartley requited these civilities by the present of a few medicines
little used in the East, but such as he thought might, with suitable
directions, be safely intrusted to a man so intelligent as his Moslem
friend.
It was several months after Barak had returned to the interior of India,
that Hartley was astonished by an unexpected rencounter.
The ships from Europe had but lately arrived, and had brought over their
usual cargo of boys longing to be commanders, and young women without
any purpose of being married, but whom a pious duty to some brother,
some uncle, or other male relative, brought to India to keep his house,
until they should find themselves unexpectedly in one of their own. Dr.
Hartley happened to attend a public breakfast given on this occasion by
a gentleman high in the service. The roof of his friend had been
recently enriched by a consignment of three nieces, whom the old
gentleman, justly attached to his quiet hookah, and, it was said, to a
pretty girl of colour, desired to offer to the public, that he might
have the fairest chance to get rid of his new guests as soon as
possible. Hartley, who was thought a fish worth casting a fly for, was
contemplating this fair investment, with very little interest, when he
heard one of the company say to another in a low voice,--
"Angels and ministers! there is our old acquaintance, the Queen of
Sheba, returned upon our hands like unsaleable goods.
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