Descending to breakfast full of plans for the future, I find awaiting me an individual destined to play an important part in these pages--one Gerome Realini, a Levantine Russian subject, well acquainted with the Persian language--who offers to accompany me to India as interpreter.
His terms are moderate, and credentials first-rate.

The latter include one from Baker Pasha, with whom he served on the Turkoman frontier expedition.

More for the sake of a companion than anything else, I close with Gerome, who, though he does not understand one word of English, speaks French fluently.
There is a very natural prejudice against the Levantine race, but my new acquaintance formed an exception to the rule.

I never had reason to regret my bargain; a better servant, pluckier traveller, or cheerier companion no man could wish for.

Gerome had just returned from a visit to Bokhara, and his accounts of Central Asia were certainly not inviting.