I am not much indebted to the Armenian for the solution of any doubts; whereas to the language of Mr.Petulengro--" "I have heard you mention that name before," said the Armenian; "who is Mr.Petulengro ?" And then I told the Armenian who Mr.Petulengro was.

The Armenian spoke contemptuously of Mr.Petulengro and his race.

"Don't speak contemptuously of Mr.Petulengro," said I, "nor of anything belonging to him.

He is a dark, mysterious personage; all connected with him is a mystery, especially his language; but I believe that his language is doomed to solve a great philological problem--Mr.Petulengro--" "You appear agitated," said the Armenian; "take another glass of wine; you possess a great deal of philological knowledge, but it appears to me that the language of this Petulengro is your foible: but let us change the subject; I feel much interested in you, and would fain be of service to you.

Can you cast accounts ?" I shook my head.
"Keep books ?" "I have an idea that I could write books," said I; "but, as to keeping them--" and here again I shook my head.
The Armenian was silent some time; all at once, glancing at one of the wire cases, with which, as I have already said, the walls of the room were hung, he asked me if I was well acquainted with the learning of the Haiks.