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'It is true；' said the Armenian； I that even on the confines of
Ararat there are a great number who consider that mountain to be
lower than the hillocks of Rome； but the greater number of
degenerate Armenians are to be found amongst those who have
wandered to the west； most of the Haik churches of the west
consider Rome to be higher than Ararat … most of the Armenians of
this place hold that dogma； I； however； have always stood firm in
the contrary opinion。
'Ha！ ha！' … here the Armenian laughed in his peculiar manner …
'talking of this matter puts me in mind of an adventure which
lately befell me； with one of the emissaries of the Papa of Rome；
for the Papa of Rome has at present many emissaries in this
country； in order to seduce the people from their own quiet
religion to the savage heresy of Rome； this fellow came to me
partly in the hope of converting me； but principally to extort
money for the purpose of furthering the designs of Rome in this
country。 I humoured the fellow at first； keeping him in play for
nearly a month； deceiving and laughing at him。 At last he
discovered that he could make nothing of me； and departed with the
scowl of Caiaphas； whilst I cried after him； 'The roots of Ararat
are DEEPER than those of Rome。'
The Armenian had occasionally reverted to the subject of the
translation of the Haik Esop； which he had still a lurking desire
that I should execute； but I had invariably declined the
undertaking； without； however； stating my reasons。 On one
occasion； when we had been conversing on the subject； the Armenian；
who had been observing my countenance for some time with much
attention； remarked； 'Perhaps； after all； you are right； and you
might employ your time to better advantage。 Literature is a fine
thing； especially Haik literature； but neither that nor any other
would be likely to serve as a foundation to a man's fortune： and
to make a fortune should be the principal aim of every one's life；
therefore listen to me。 Accept a seat at the desk opposite to my
Moldavian clerk； and receive the rudiments of a merchant's
education。 You shall be instructed in the Armenian way of doing
business … I think you would make an excellent merchant。'
'Why do you think so？'
'Because you have something of the Armenian look。'
'I understand you；' said I； 'you mean to say that I squint！'
'Not exactly；' said the Armenian； 'but there is certainly a kind of
irregularity in your features。 One eye appears to me larger than
the other … never mind； but rather rejoice； in that irregularity
consists your strength。 All people with regular features are
fools； it is very hard for them； you'll say； but there is no help：
all we can do； who are not in such a predicament； is to pity those
who are。 Well！ will you accept my offer？ No！ you are a singular
individual； but I must not forget my own concerns。 I must now go
forth； having an appointment by which I hope to make money。'
CHAPTER L
Wish fulfilled … Extraordinary figure … Bueno … Noah … The two
faces … I don't blame him … Too fond of money … Were I an Armenian。
THE fulfilment of the Armenian's grand wish was nearer at hand than
either he or I had anticipated。 Partly owing to the success of a
bold speculation； in which he had some time previously engaged； and
partly owing to the bequest of a large sum of money by one of his
nation who died at this period in Paris； he found himself in the
possession of a fortune somewhat exceeding two hundred thousand
pounds； this fact he communicated to me one evening about an hour
after the close of 'Change； the hour at which I generally called；
and at which I mostly found him at home。
'Well；' said I； 'and what do you intend to do next？'
'I scarcely know；' said the Armenian。 'I was thinking of that when
you came in。 I don't see anything that I can do； save going on in
my former course。 After all； I was perhaps too moderate in making
the possession of two hundred thousand pounds the summit of my
ambition； there are many individuals in this town who possess three
times that sum； and are not yet satisfied。 No； I think I can do no
better than pursue the old career； who knows but I may make the two
hundred thousand three or four？ … there is already a surplus； which
is an encouragement； however； we will consider the matter over a
goblet of wine； I have observed of late that you have become
partial to my Cyprus。'
And it came to pass that； as we were seated over the Cyprus wine；
we heard a knock at the door。 'Adelante！' cried the Armenian；
whereupon the door opened； and in walked a somewhat extraordinary
figure … a man in a long loose tunic of a stuff striped with black
and yellow； breeches of plush velvet； silk stockings； and shoes
with silver buckles。 On his head he wore a high…peaked hat； he was
tall； had a hooked nose； and in age was about fifty。
'Welcome； Rabbi Manasseh；' said the Armenian。 'I know your knock …
you are welcome； sit down。'
'I am welcome；' said Manasseh； sitting down； 'he … he … he！ you
know my knock … I bring you money … BUENO！'
There was something very peculiar in the sound of that bueno … I
never forgot it。
Thereupon a conversation ensued between Rabbi Manasseh and the
Armenian； in a language which I knew to be Spanish； though a
peculiar dialect。 It related to a mercantile transaction。 The
Rabbi sighed heavily as he delivered to the other a considerable
sum of money。
'It is right；' said the Armenian； handing a receipt。 'It is right；
and I am quite satisfied。'
'You are satisfied … you have taken money。 BUENO； I have nothing
to say against your being satisfied。'
'Come； Rabbi；' said the Armenian； 'do not despond； it may be your
turn next to take money； in the meantime； can't you be persuaded to
taste my Cyprus？'
'He … he … he！ senor； you know I do not love wine。 I love Noah
when he is himself； but； as Janus； I love him not。 But you are
merry； BUENO； you have a right to be so。'
'Excuse me；' said I； 'but does Noah ever appear as Janus？'
'He … he … he！' said the Rabbi； 'he only appeared as Janus once …
una vez quando estuvo borracho； which means … '
'I understand；' said I； 'when he was 。 。 。' and I drew the side of
my right hand sharply across my left wrist。
'Are you one of our people？' said the Rabbi。
'No；' said I； 'I am one of the Goyim； but I am only half
enlightened。 Why should Noah be Janus when he was in that state？'
'He … he … he！ you must know that in Lasan akhades wine is janin。'
'In Armenian； kini；' said I； 'in Welsh； gwin； Latin； vinum； but do
you think that Janus and janin are one？'
'Do I think？ Don't the commentators say so？ Does not Master Leo
Abarbenel say so in his DIALOGUES OF DIVINE LOVE'？
'But；' said I； 'I always thought that Janus was a god of the