528 THE STORY OF THE KHEDIVATE.

after many days. I cannot better conclude '*The Story of the Khedivate '* than by repeating a remark once made to me by the Khedive Ismail, on the occasion of one of my many interviews with him at the palace of Abdin. I had happened, for lack, I suppose, of any more appropriate remark, to ask his Highness if there was any news that day about Egyptian affairs.

His reply was, "That is so like all you English. You are always expecting something new to happen in Egypt, day by day. To-day is here the same as yesterday, and to-morrow will be the same as to-day ; and so it has been, and so it will be, for thousands of years/*