Was I being conducted to the lair of one of the savants attached to the establishment?
and would he add a superfluous third to our little party of two, so complete and companionable, _solus cum sola_, in this populated wilderness?
Above all, would he turn out to be a comely young man, and bring my aerial castles tumbling about my ears?
The shy look and the blush with which she had suggested the introduction were ominous indications, upon which I mused gloomily as we ascended the stairs and passed through the wide doorway.

I glanced apprehensively at my companion, and met a quiet, inscrutable smile; and at that moment she halted outside a wall-case and faced me.
"This is my friend," she said.

"Let me present you to Artemidorus, late of the Fayyum.

Oh, don't smile!" she pleaded.

"I am quite serious.