Sometimes Alexander called him "Saracen"-- a finding of the imagination that dated from old days upon the moor above the Kelpie's Pool when they read together the _Faery Queen_.

The other day, at Black Hill, this ancient fancy had played through Alexander's mind while Mr.Wotherspoon talked of Italy, and Mrs.
Alison of Babylonish lords....

The point was that he relished Paynim knight and Renaissance noble and prince of Babylon.

Let Ian seem or be all that, and richer yet! Still there would be Ian, outside of all circles drawn.
In the room that he called the "alchemical," Ian, disengaging himself, turned and put both hands on Alexander's shoulders.

"Thou Old Steadfast!" he cried.