They had a quick and prosperous voyage, and from Suez travelled by
land to Cairo.



CHAPTER XVI--THEY ENTER CAIRO, AND FIND EVERY MAN HAPPY.



As they approached the city, which filled the strangers with
astonishment, "This," said Imlac to the Prince, "is the place where
travellers and merchants assemble from all corners of the earth.
You will here find men of every character and every occupation.
Commerce is here honourable. I will act as a merchant, and you
shall live as strangers who have no other end of travel than
curiosity; it will soon be observed that we are rich. Our
reputation will procure us access to all whom we shall desire to
know; you shall see all the conditions of humanity, and enable
yourselves at leisure to make your CHOICE OF LIFE."

They now entered the town, stunned by the noise and offended by the
crowds. Instruction had not yet so prevailed over habit but that
they wondered to see themselves pass undistinguished along the
streets, and met by the lowest of the people without reverence or
notice. The Princess could not at first bear the thought of being
levelled with the vulgar, and for some time continued in her
chamber, where she was served by her favourite Pekuah, as in the
palace of the valley.

Imlac, who understood traffic, sold part of the jewels the next