The Patriarch was highly displeased with these bold sentiments, and gave utterance to cruel threats, though at other times offering promotion and money.
Asaad objected to the plan of rescuing him by consular authority, as it might endanger his life.

He thought it best to await some providential opening for his escape.

One soon occurred.

After a week, he left the convent at midnight.

The mountain paths were narrow, stony, and crooked, and he often found himself astray, stumbling over rocks and hedges, wading in brooks, or miring in mud.
Reaching the sea-shore, he found a shelter under which he rested for a while, and then walked on to Beirut, where he was received most joyfully.