第5章

Sheliftedherwhiteandroundedarms——neverhadI seensucharmsbefore-andslowly，veryslowly，withdrewsomefasteningbeneathherhair。Thenallofasuddenthelong，corpse-likewrappingsfellfromhertotheground，andmyeyestravelledupherform，nowonlyrobedinagarbofclingingwhitethatdidbutservetoshowitsperfectandimperialshape，instinctwithalifethatwasmorethanlife，andwithacertainserpent-likegracethatwasmorethanhuman。 Onherlittlefeetweresandals，fastenedwithstudsofgold。Thencameanklesmoreperfectthaneversculptordreamedof。Aboutthewaistherwhitekirtlewasfastenedbyadouble-headedsnakeofsolidgold，abovewhichhergraciousformswelledupinlinesaspureastheywerelovely，tillthekirtleendedonthesnowyargentofherbreast，whereonherarmswerefolded。Igazedabovethematherface，and——Idonotexaggerateshrankbackblindedandamazed。Ihaveheardofthebeautyofcelestialbeings，nowIsawit; onlythisbeauty，withallitsawfullovelinessandpurity，wasevil——atleast，atthetime，itstruckmeasevil。HowamItodescribeit？Icannot——simply，I cannot！ThemandoesnotlivewhosepencouldconveyasenseofwhatIsaw。Imighttalkofthegreatchangingeyesofdeepest，softestblack，ofthetintedface，ofthebroadandnoblebrow;onwhichthehairgrewlow，anddelicate，straightfeatures。But，beautiful，surpassinglybeautifulastheyallwere，herlovelinessdidnotlieinthem。Itlayrather，ifitcanbesaidtohavehadanyfixedabiding-place，inavisiblemajesty，inanimperialgrace，inagodlikestampofsoftenedpower，whichshoneuponthatradiantcountenancelikealivinghalo。NeverbeforehadI guessedwhatbeautymadesublimecouldbe，andyetthesublimitywasadarkone;theglorywasnotallofheaven，thoughnonethelesswasitglorious。Thoughthefacebeforemewasthatofayoungwomanofcertainlynotmorethanthirtyyears，inperfecthealth，andthefirstflushofripenedbeauty，yetithadstampeduponitalookofunutterableexperience，andofdeepacquaintancewithgriefandpassion。Noteventhelovelysmilethatcreptaboutthedimplesofhermouthcouldhidethisshadowofsinandsorrow。Itshoneeveninthelightofthegloriouseyes，itwaspresentintheairofmajesty，anditseemedtosay： “Beholdme，lovelyasnowomanwasoris，undyingandhalfdivine;memoryhauntsmefromagetoage，andpassionleadsmebythehand;evilhaveIdone，andwithsorrowhaveImadeacquaintancefromagetoage，andfromagetoageevilIshalldo，andsorrowshallIknowtillmyredemptioncomes。” DrawnbysomemagneticforcewhichIcouldnotresist，Iletmyeyesrestuponhershiningorbs，andfeltacurrentpassfromthemtomethatbewilderedandhalfblindedme。 Shelaughed——ah，howmusically！andnoddedherlittleheadatmewithanairofsublimatedcoquetrythatwouldhavedonecredittoaVenusVictrix。 “Rashman！”shesaid;“likeActaeon，thouhasthadthywill;becarefullest，likeActaeon，thoutoodostperishmiserably，torntopiecesbytheban-houndsofthineownpassions。Itoo，OHolly，amavirgingoddess，nottobemovedofanyman，saveone，anditisnotthou。Say，hastthouseenenough？” “Ihavelookedonbeauty，andIamblinded，“Isaid，hoarsely，liftingmyhandtocoverupmyeyes。 “So！whatdidItellthee？Beautyislikethelightning;itislovely，butitdestroys——speciallytrees，OHolly！”Andagainshenoddedandlaughed。 Suddenlyshepaused，andthroughmyfingersIsawanawfulchangecomeoverhercountenance。Hergreateyessuddenlyfixedthemselvesintoanexpressioninwhichhorrorseemedtostrugglewithsometremendoushopearisingthroughthedepthsofherdarksoul。Thelovelyfacegrewrigid，andthegracious，willowyformseemedtoerectitself。 “Man，“shehalfwhispered，halfhissed，throwingbackherheadlikeasnakeabouttostrike——“man，wheredidstthougetthatscarabonthyhand？Speak，orbytheSpiritofLifeIwillblasttheewherethoustandest！”andshetookonelightsteptowardsme，andfromhereyesthereshonesuchanawfullight——tomeitseemedalmostlikeaflame——thatIfell，thenandthere，onthegroundbeforeher，babblingconfusedlyinmyterror。 “Peace，“shesaid，withasuddenchangeofmanner，andspeakinginherformersoftvoice，“Ididaffrightthee！Forgiveme！Butattimes，OHolly，thealmostinfinitemindgrowsimpatientoftheslownessoftheveryfinite，andIamtemptedtousemypoweroutofpurevexation——verynearlywastthoudead，butI remembered——Butthescarab——aboutthescarabaeus！” “Ipickeditup，“Igurgledfeebly，asIgotontomyfeetagain，anditisasolemnfactthatmymindwassodisturbedthatatthemomentIcouldremembernothingelseabouttheringexceptthatIhadpickeditupinLeo’scave。 “Itisverystrange，“shesaid，withasuddenaccessofwoman-liketremblingandagitationwhichseemedoutofplaceinthisawfulwoman——“butonceIknewascarablikethat。It——hungroundtheneck——ofoneI loved，“andshegavealittlesob，andIsawthatafterallshewasonlyawoman，althoughshemightbeaveryoldone。“There，“shewenton，“itmustbeonelikeit，andyetneverdidIseeonelikeit，fortheretohungahistory，andhewhowroteitprizeditmuch。ButthescarabthatIknewwasnotsetthusinthebezelofaring。Gonow，Holly，go，and，ifthoucanst，trytoforgetthatthouhastlookeduponAyesha’sbeauty，“and，turningfromme，sheflungherselfonhercouch，andburiedherfaceinthecushions。 Asforme，Istumbledfromherpresence，andIdonotrememberhowIreachedmyowncave。 CHAPTERXIV—— ASOULINHELL Itwasnearlyteno’clockatnightwhenIcastmyselfdownuponmybed，andbegantogathermyscatteredwits，andreflectuponwhatIhadseenandheard。ButthemoreIreflectedthelessIcouldmakeofit。WasImad，ordrunk，ordreaming，orwasImerelythevictimofagiganticandmostelaboratehoax？HowwasitpossiblethatI，arationalman，notunacquaintedwiththeleadingscientificfactsofourhistory，andhithertoanabsoluteandutterdisbelieverinallthehocus-pocusthatinEuropegoesbythenameofthesupernatural，couldbelievethatIhad，withinthelastfewminutes，beenengagedinconversationwithawomantwothousandandoddyearsold？Thethingwascontrarytotheexperienceofhumannature，andabsolutelyandutterlyimpossible。Itmustbeahoax; andyet，ifitwereahoax，whatwasItomakeofit？ What，too，wastobesaidofthefiguresonthewater，ofthewoman’sextraordinaryacquaintancewiththeremotepast，and，herignorance，orapparentignorance，ofanysubsequenthistory？What，too，ofherwonderfulandawfulloveliness？This，atanyrate，wasapatentfact，andbeyondtheexperienceoftheworld。Nomerelymortalwomancouldshinewithsuchasupernaturalradiance。Aboutthatshehad，atanyrate，beenintheright——itwasnotsafeforanymantolookuponsuchbeauty。Iwasahardenedvesselinsuchmatters，having，withtheexceptionofonepainfulexperienceofmygreenandtenderyouth，putthesoftersex(Isometimesthinkthatthisisamisnomer)almostentirelyoutofmythoughts。Butnow，tomyintensehorror，I_i_knew_i_thatIcouldneverputawaythevisionofthosegloriouseyes;and，alas！thevery_i_diablerie_i_ofthewoman，whileithorrifiedandrepelled，attractedinevenagreaterdegree。Apersonwiththeexperienceoftwothousandyearsatherback，withthecommandofsuchtremendouspowersandtheknowledgeofamysterythatcouldholdoffdeath，wascertainlyworthfallinginlovewith，ifeverwomanwas。But，alas！itwasnotaquestionofwhetherornotshewasworthit，for，sofarasI couldjudge，notbeingversedinsuchmatters，I，afellowofmycollege，notedforwhatmyacquaintancesarepleasedtocallmymisogyny，andarespectablemannowwelloninmiddlelife，hadfallenabsolutelyandhopelesslyinlovewiththiswhitesorceress。 Nonsense;itmustbenonsense！Shehadwarnedmefairly，andIhadrefusedtotakethewarning。Cursesonthefatalcuriositythatiseverpromptingmantodrawtheveilfromwoman，andcursesonthenaturalimpulsethatbegetsit！Itisthecauseofhalf——ay，andmorethanhalf，ofourmisfortunes。Whycannotmanbecontenttolivealoneandbehappy，andletthewomenlivealoneandbehappytoo？butperhapstheywouldnotbehappy，andIamnotsurethatweshouldeither。Herewasanicestateofaffairs。I，atmyage，tofallavictimtothismodernCirce！Butthenshewasnotmodern，atleastshesaidnot。ShewasalmostasancientastheoriginalCirce。 Itoremyhair，andjumpedupfrommycouch，feelingthatifIdidnotdosomethingIshouldgooffmyhead。Whatdidshemeanaboutthescarabaeustoo？ItwasLeo’sscarabaeus，andhadcomeoutoftheoldcofferthatVinceyhadleftinmyroomsnearlyone- and-twentyyearsbefore。Coulditbe，afterall，thatthewholestorywastrue，andthewritingonthesherdwasnotaforgery，ortheinventionofsomecrackbrained，long-forgottenindividual？Andifso，coulditbethat_i_Leo_i_wasthemanthat_i_She_i_ waswaitingfor——thedeadmanwhowastobebornagain？Impossibleagain！Thewholethingwasgibberish！Whoeverheardofamanbeingbornagain？ Butifitwerepossiblethatawomancouldexistfortwothousandyears，thismightbepossiblealso—— anythingmightbepossible。Imyselfmight，foraughtIknew，beareincarnationofsomeotherforgottenself，orperhapsthelastofalonglineofancestralselves。Well，_i_vivelaguerre！_i_whynot？Only，unfortunately，Ihadnorecollectionofthesepreviousconditions。TheideawassoabsurdtomethatIburstoutlaughing，and，addressingthesculpturedpictureofagrim-lookingwarrioronthecavewall，calledouttohimaloud，“Whoknows，Oldfellow？——perhapsIwasyourcontemporary。ByJove！perhapsIwasyouandyouareI，“andthenIlaughedagainatmyownfolly，andthesoundofmylaughterrangdismallyalongthevaultedroof，asthoughtheghostofthewarriorhadutteredtheghostofalaugh。 NextIbethoughtmethatIhadnotbeentoseehowLeowas，so，takinguponeofthelampswhichwasburningatmybedside，Islippedoffmyshoesandcreptdownthepassagetotheentranceofhissleeping-cave。Thedraughtofthenightairwasliftinghiscurtaintoandfrogently，asthoughspirithandsweredrawingandredrawingit。Islidintothevaultlikeapartment，andlookedround。TherewasalightbywhichIcouldseethatLeowaslyingonthecouch，tossingrestlesslyinhisfever，butasleep。Athisside，half-lyingonthefloor，half-leaningagainstthestonecouch，wasUstane。Sheheldhishandinoneofhers，butshetoowasdozing，andthetwomadeapretty，orratherapathetic，picture。PoorLeo！hischeekwasburningred，thereweredarkshadowsbeneathhiseyes，andhisbreathcameheavily。Hewasvery，veryill;andagainthehorriblefearseizedmethathemightdie，andIbeleftaloneintheworld。AndyetifhelivedhewouldperhapsbemyrivalwithAyesha;evenifhewerenottheman，whatchanceshouldI，middle-agedandhideous，haveagainsthisbrightyouthandbeauty？Well，thankHeaven！mysenseofrightwasnotdead。_i_She_i_hadnotkilledthatyet;and，asIstoodthere，IprayedtotheAlmightyinmyheartthatmyboy，mymorethanson，mightlive—— ay，evenifheprovedtobetheman。 ThenIwentbackassoftlyasIhadcome，butstillI couldnotsleep;thesightandthoughtofdearLeolyingtheresoillhadbutaddedfueltothefireofmyunrest。Myweariedbodyandoverstrainedmindawakenedallmyimaginationintopreternaturalactivity。Ideas，visions，almostinspirations，floatedbeforeitwithstartlingvividness。Mostofthemweregrotesqueenough，somewereghastly，somerecalledthoughtsandsensationsthathadforyearsbeenburiedinthe_i_de’bris_i_ofmypastlife。Butbehindandabovethemallhoveredtheshapeofthatawfulwoman，andthroughthemgleamedthememoryofherentrancingloveliness。UpanddownthecaveIstrode——upanddown。 SuddenlyIobserved，whatIhadnotnoticedbefore，thattherewasanarrowapertureintherockywall。I tookupthelampandexaminedit;theapertureledtoapassage。Now，Iwasstillsufficientlysensibletorememberthatitisnotpleasant，insuchasituationasourswas，tohavepassagesrunningintoone’sbed- chamberfromnooneknowswhere。Iftherearepassages，peoplecancomeupthem;theycancomeupwhenoneisasleep。Partlytoseewhereitwentto，andpartlyfromarestlessdesiretobedoingsomething，Ifollowedthepassage。Itledtoastonestair，whichIdescended;thestairendedinanotherpassage，orrathertunnel，alsohewnoutofthebed- rock，andrunning，sofarasIcouldjudge，exactlybeneaththegallerythatledtotheentranceofourrooms，andacrossthegreatcentralcave。Iwentondownit：itwasassilentasthegrave，butstill，drawnbysomesensationorattractionthatIcannotdescribe，Ifollowedon，mystockingedfeetfallingwithoutnoiseonthesmoothandrockyfloor。WhenI hadtraversedsomefiftyyardsofspace，Icametoanotherpassagerunningatrightangles，andhereanawfulthinghappenedtome：thesharpdraughtcaughtmylampandextinguishedit，leavingmeinutterdarknessinthebowelsofthatmysteriousplace。I tookacoupleofstridesforwardsoastoclearthebisectingtunnel，beingterriblyafraidlestIshouldturnupitinthedarkifonceIgotconfusedastothedirection，andthenpausedtothink。WhatwasItodo？Ihadnomatch;itseemedawfultoattemptthatlongjourneybackthroughtheuttergloom，andyetI couldnotstandthereallnight，and，ifIdid，probablyitwouldnothelpmemuch，forinthebowelsoftherockitwouldbeasdarkatmiddayasatmidnight。Ilookedbackovermyshoulder——notasightorasound。Ipeeredforwarddownthedarkness： surely，faraway，Isawsomethinglikethefaintglowoffire。PerhapsitwasacavewhereIcouldgetalight——atanyrate，itwasworthinvestigating。SlowlyandpainfullyIcreptalongthetunnel，keepingmyhandagainstitswall，andfeelingateverystepwithmyfootbeforeIputitdown，fearinglestIshouldfallintosomepit。Thirtypaces——therewasalight，abroadlightthatcameandwent，shiningthroughcurtains！Fiftypaces——itwascloseathand！Sixty—— oh，greatheaven！ Iwasatthecurtains，andtheydidnothangclose，soIcouldseeclearlyintothelittlecavernbeyondthem。Ithadalltheappearanceofbeingatomb，andwaslitupbyafirethatburnedinitscentrewithawhitishflameandwithoutsmoke。Indeed，there，totheleft，wasastoneshelfwithalittleledgetoitthreeinchesorsohigh，andontheshelflaywhatI tooktobeacorpse;atanyrate，itlookedlikeone，withsomethingwhitethrownoverit。Totherightwasasimilarshelf，onwhichlaysomebroideredcoverings。Overthefirebentthefigureofawoman; shewassidewaystomeandfacingthecorpse，wrappedinadarkmantlethathidherlikeanun’scloak。Sheseemedtobestaringattheflickeringflame。 Suddenly，asIwastryingtomakeupmymindwhattodo，withaconvulsivemovementthatsomehowgaveanimpressionofdespairingenergy，thewomanrosetoherfeetandcastthedarkcloakfromher。 Itwas_i_She_i_herself！ Shewasclothed，asIhadseenherwhensheunveiled，inthekirtleofclingingwhite，cutlowuponherbosom，andboundinatthewaistwiththebarbaricdouble-headedsnake，and，asbefore，herripplingblackhairfellinheavymassesdownherback。Butherfacewaswhatcaughtmyeye，andheldmeasinavise，notthistimebytheforceofitsbeauty，butbythepoweroffascinatedterror。Thebeautywasstillthere，indeed，buttheagony，theblindpassion，andtheawfulvindictivenessdisplayeduponthosequiveringfeatures，andinthetorturedlookoftheupturnedeyes，weresuchassurpassmypowersofdescription。 Foramomentshestoodstill，herhandsraisedhighaboveherhead，andasshedidsothewhiterobeslippedfromherdowntohergoldengirdle，baringtheblindinglovelinessofherform。Shestoodthere，herfingersclenched，andtheawfullookofmalevolencegatheredanddeepenedonherface。 Suddenly，Ithoughtofwhatwouldhappenifshediscoveredme，andthereflectionmademeturnsickandfaint。ButevenifIhadknownthatImustdieifIstopped，IdonotbelievethatIcouldhavemoved，forIwasabsolutelyfascinated。ButstillIknewmydanger。Supposingsheshouldhearme，orseemethroughthecurtain，supposingIevensneezed，orthathermagictoldherthatshewasbeingwatched——swiftindeedwouldbemydoom。 Downcametheclinchedhandstohersides，thenupagainaboveherhead，and，asIamalivingandhonorableman，thewhiteflameofthefireleapedupafterthem，almosttotheroof，throwingafierceandghastlyglareupon_i_She_i_herself，uponthewhitefigurebeneaththecovering，andeveryscrollanddetailoftherockwork。 Downcametheivoryarmsagain，andastheydidsoshespoke，orratherhissed，inArabic，inanotethatcurdledmyblood，andforasecondstoppedmyheart，“Curseher，mayshebeeverlastinglyaccursed。” Thearmsfellandtheflamesank。Uptheywentagain，andthebroadtongueoffireshotupafterthem;thenagaintheyfell。 “Cursehermemory——accursedbethememoryoftheEgyptian。” Upagain，andagaindown。 “Curseher，thefairdaughteroftheNile，becauseofherbeauty。 “Curseher，becausehermagichathprevailedagainstme。 “Curseher，becauseshekeptmybelovedfromme。” Andagaintheflamedwindledandshrank。 Sheputherhandsbeforehereyes，and，abandoningthehissingtone，criedaloud： “Whatistheuseofcursing？——sheprevailed，andsheisgone。” Thenshecommencedwithanevenmorefrightfulenergy： “Curseherwheresheis。Letmycursesreachherwheresheisanddisturbherrest。 “Curseherthroughthestarryspaces。Lethershadowbeaccursed。 “Letmypowerfindhereventhere。 “Letherhearmeeventhere，Letherhideherselfintheblackness。 “Lethergodownintothepitofdespair，becauseI shallonedayfindher。” Againtheflamefell，andagainshecoveredhereyeswithherhands。 “Itisnouse——nouse，“shewailed;“whocanreachthosewhosleep？NotevenIcanreachthem。” Thenoncemoreshebeganherunholyrites。 “Curseherwhensheshallbebornagain。Letherbebornaccursed。 “Letherbeutterlyaccursedfromthehourofherbirthuntilsleepfindsher。 “Yea，then，letherbeaccursed;forthenshallI overtakeherwithmyvengeance，andutterlydestroyher。” Andsoon。Theflameroseandfell，reflectingitselfinheragonizedeyes;thehissingsoundofherterriblemaledictions，andnowordsofmine，especiallyonpaper，canconveyhowterribletheywere，ranroundthewallsanddiedawayinlittleechoes，andthefiercelightanddeepgloomalternatedthemselvesonthewhiteanddreadfulformstretcheduponthatbierofstone。 Butatlengthsheseemedtowearherselfout，andceased。Shesatherselfdownupontherockyfloor，andshookthedensecloudofherbeautifulhairoverherfaceandbreast，andbegantosobterriblyinthetortureofaheart-rendingdespair。 “Twothousandyears，“shemoaned，“twothousandyearshaveIwaitedandendured;butthoughcenturydothstillcreepontocentury，andtimegiveplacetotime，thestingofmemoryhathnotlessened，thelightofhopedothnotshinemorebright。Oh！tohavelivedtwothousandyears，withmypassioneatingatmyheart，andwithmysineverbeforeme。Oh，thatformelifecannotbringforgetfulness！Oh，forthewearyyearsthathave。beenandareyettocome，andevermoretocome，endlessandwithoutend！ “Mylove！mylove！mylove！Whydidthatstrangerbringtheebacktomeafterthissort？ForfivehundredyearsIhavenotsufferedthus。Oh，ifI sinnedagainstthee，haveInotwipedawaythesin？ Whenwiltthoucomebacktomewhohaveall，andyetwithouttheehavenaught？WhatistherethatIcando？ What？What？What？Andperchanceshe——perchancethatEgyptiandothabidewiththeewherethouart，andmockmymemory。Oh，whycouldInotdiewiththee，Iwhoslewthee？Alas，thatIcannotdie！Alas！Alas！”andsheflungherselfproneupontheground，andsobbedandweptuntilIthoughtherheartmustburst。 Suddenlysheceased，raisedherselftoherfeet，rearrangedherrobe，and，tossingbackherlonglocksimpatiently，sweptacrosstowherethefigurelayuponthestone。 “Oh，Kallikrates，“。shecried，andItrembledatthename，“Imustlookuponthyfaceagain，thoughitbeagony。ItisagenerationsinceIlookedupontheewhomIslew——slewwithmineownhand，“andwithtremblingfingerssheseizedthecornerofthesheetlikewrappingthatcoveredtheformuponthestonebier，andthenpaused。Whenshespokeagain，itwasinakindofawedwhisper，asthoughherideawereterribleeventoherself。 “ShallIraisethee，“shesaid，apparentlyaddressingthecorpse，“sothatthoustandesttherebeforeme，asofold？Icandoit。”andsheheldoutherhandsoverthesheeteddead，whileherwholeframebecamerigidandterribletosee，andhereyesgrewfixedanddull。 Ishrankinhorrorbehindthecurtain，myhairstoodupuponmyhead，and——whetheritwasmyimaginationorafactIamunabletosay，butIthoughtthatthequietformbeneaththecoveringbegantoquiver，andthewindingsheettoliftasthoughitlayonthebreastofonewhoslept。Suddenlyshewithdrewherhands，andthemotionofthecorpseseemedtometocease。 “Whatistheuse？”shesaid，gloomily。“OfwhatuseisittorecallthesemblanceoflifeifIcannotrecallthespirit。Evenifthoustoodestbeforemethouwouldstnotknowme，andcouldstbutdowhatIbidthee。Thelifeintheewouldbemylife，andnotthylife，Kallikrates。” Foramomentshestoodtherebrooding，andthencastherselfdownonherkneesbesidetheform，andbegantopressherlipsagainstthesheet，andweep。Therewassomethingsohorribleaboutthesightofthisawe- inspiringwomanlettinglooseherpassiononthedead—— somuchmorehorribleeventhananythingthathadgonebefore，thatIcouldnolongerbeartolookatitand，turning，begantocreep，shakingasIwasineverylimb，slowlyalongthepitch-darkpassage，feelinginmytremblingheartthatIhadhadavisionofasoulinHell。 OnIstumbled，Iscarcelyknowhow。TwiceIfell，onceIturnedupthebisectingpassage，butfortunatelyfoundoutmymistakeintime。FortwentyminutesormoreIcreptalong，tillatlastitoccurredtomethatImusthavepassedthelittlestairbywhichI descended。So，utterlyexhausted，andnearlyfrightenedtodeath，Isankdownatlengththereonthestoneflooring，andpassedintooblivion。 WhenIcametoInoticedafaintrayoflightinthepassagejustbehindme。Icrepttoit，andfounditwasthelittlestairdownwhichtheweakdawnwasstealing。Passingupit，Igainedmychamberinsafety，and，flingingmyselfonthecouch，wassoonlostinslumber，orratherstupor。 CHAPTERXV—— AYESHAGIVESJUDGMENT THEnextthingthatIrememberwasopeningmyeyesandperceivingtheformofJob，whohadnowpracticallyrecoveredfromhisattackoffever。Hewasstandingintherayoflightthatpiercedintothecavefromtheouterair，shakingoutmyclothesasamakeshiftforbrushingthem，whichhecouldnotdobecausetherewasnobrush，andthenfoldingthemupneatlyandlayingthemonthefootofthestonecouch。Thisdone，hegotmytravellingdressing-caseoutoftheGladstonebag，andopeneditreadyformyuse。First，hestooditonthefootofthecouchalso，then，beingafraid，I suppose，thatIshouldkickitoff，heplaceditonaleopardskinonthefloor，andstoodbackasteportwotoobservetheeffect。Itwasnotsatisfactory，soheshutupthebag，turneditonend，and，havingresteditagainstthefootoftheconch，placedthedressing-caseonit。Next，helookedatthepotsfullofwater，whichconstitutedourwashingapparatus。 “Ah！”Iheardhimmurmur，“nohotwaterinthisbeastlyplace。Isupposethesepoorcreaturesonlyuseittoboileachotherin，“andhesigheddeeply。 “Whatisthematter，Job？”Isaid。 “Begpardon，sir，“hesaid，touchinghishair。“I thoughtyouwereasleep，sir;andIamsureyoulookasthoughyouwantit。Onemightthinkfromthelookofyouthatyouhadbeenhavinganightofit。” Ionlygroanedbywayofanswer。Ihad，indeed，beenhavinganightofit，suchasIhopenevertohaveagain。 “HowisMr。Leo，Job？” “Muchthesame，sir。Ifhedon’tsoonmend，he’llend，sir;andthat’sallaboutit;thoughImustsaythatthattheresavage，Ustane，dodoherbestforhim; almostlikeabaptizedChristian。Sheisalwayshangingroundandlookingafterhim，andifIventurestointerfere，it’sawfultoseeher;herhairseemstostandonend，andshecursesandswearsawayinherheathentalk——atleastIfancyshemustbecursingfromthelookofher。” “Andwhatdoyoudothen？” “Imakeheraperlitebow，andIsay，’Youngwoman，yourpositionisonethatIdon’tquiteunderstand，andcan’trecognize。LetmetellyouthatIhasadutytoperformtomymasterasisincapacitatedbyillness，andthatIamgoingtoperformituntilIamincapacitatedtoo;butshedon’ttakenoheed，notshe——onlycursesandswearsawayworsethanever。Lastnightsheputherhandunderthatsortofnightshirtshewearsandwhipsoutaknifewithakindofacurlintheblade，soIwhipsoutmyrevolver，andwewalksroundandroundeachothertillatlastsheburstsoutlaughing。Itisn’tnicetreatmentforaChristianmantohavetoputupwithfromasavage，howeverhandsomeshemaybe，butitiswhatpeoplemustexpectasisfoolsenough“(Joblaidgreatemphasisonthe“fools“) “tocometosuchaplacetolookforthingsnomanismeanttofind。It’sajudgmentonus，sir——that’smyopinion;andI，forone，isofopinionthatthejudgmentisn’thalfdoneyet，andwhenitisdone，weshallbedonetoo，andjuststopinthesebeastlycaveswiththeghostsandthecorpsesforonceandall。Andnow，sir，ImustbeseeingaboutMr。Leo’sbroth，ifthatwild-catwillletme;andperhapsyouwouldliketogetup，sir，becauseit’spastnineo’clock。” Job’sremarkswerenotofanexactlycheeringordertoamanwhohadpassedsuchanightasIhad;and，whatismore，theyhadtheweightoftruth。Takingonethingwithanother，itappearedtometobeanutterimpossibilitythatweshouldescapefromtheplacewherewewere。SupposingthatLeorecovered，andsupposingthat_i_She_i_wouldletusgo，whichwasexceedinglydoubtful，andthatshedidnot“blast“usinsomemomentofvexation，andthatwewerenothot- pottedbytheAmahagger，itwouldbequiteimpossibleforustofindourwayacrossthenetworkofmarsheswhich，stretchingforscoresandscoresofmiles，formedastrongerandmoreimpassablefortificationroundthevariousAmahaggerhouseholdsthananythatcouldbebuiltordesignedbyman。No，therewasbutonethingtodo——faceitout;and，speakingformyownpart，Iwassointenselyinterestedinthewholeweirdstorythat，sofarasIwasconcerned，notwithstandingtheshatteredstateofmynerves，Iaskednothingbetter，evenifmylifepaidforfeittomycuriosity。 WhatmanforwhompsychologyhascharmscouldforbeartostudysuchacharacterasthatofthisAyeshawhentheopportunityofdoingsopresenteditself？Theveryterrorofthepursuitaddedtoitsfascination，andbesides，asIasforcedtoowntomyselfevennowinthesoberlightofday，sheherselfhadattractionsthatIcouldnotforget。NoteventhedreadfulsightwhichIhadwitnessedduringthenightcoulddrivethefollyfrommymind;andalas！thatIshouldhavetoadmitit，ithasnotbeendriventhencetothishour。 AfterIhaddressedmyselfIpassedintotheeating，or，rather，embalmingchamber，andhadsomefood，whichwas，asbefore，broughttomebythegirlmutes。 WhenIhadfinished。IwentandsawpoorLeo，whowasquiteoffhishead，anddidnotevenknowme。IaskedUstanehowshethoughthewas;butsheonlyshookherheadandbegantocryalittle。Evidentlyherhopesweresmall;andIthenandtheremadeupmymindthat，ifitwereinanywaypossible，Iwouldget_i_She_i_tocomeandseehim。Surelyshecouldcurehimifshechose——atanyrate，shesaidshecould。WhileI wasintheroom，Billalientered，andalsoshookhishead。 “Hewilldieatnight，“hesaid。 “Godforbid，myfather，“Ianswered，andturnedawaywithaheavyheart。 “_i_She-who-must-be-obeyed_i_commandsthypresence，myBaboon，“saidtheoldmanassoonaswegottothecurtain;“but，Omydearson，bemorecareful。YesterdayImadesureinmyheartthat_i_ She_i_wouldblasttheewhenthoudidstnotcrawluponthystomachbeforeher。_i_She_i_issittinginthegreathallevennowtodojusticeuponthosewhowouldhavesmittentheeandtheLion。Comeon，myson; comeswiftly。” Iturned，andfollowedhimdownthepassage，andwhenwereachedthegreatcentralcavesawthatmanyAmahagger，somerobed，andsomemerelycladinthesweetsimplicityofaleopardskin，werehurryingupit。Wemingledwiththethrong，andwalkeduptheenormousand，indeed，almostinterminablecave。Allthewayitswallswereelaboratelysculptured，andeverytwentypacesorsopassagesopenedoutofitatrightangles，leading，Billalitoldme，totombs，hollowedintherockby“thepeoplewhowerebefore。” Nobodyvisitedthosetombsnow，hesaid;andImustsaythatmyheartrejoicedwhenIthoughtoftheopportunitiesofantiquarianresearchwhichopenedoutbeforeme。 Atlastwecametotheheadofthecave，wheretherewasarockdaisalmostexactlysimilartotheoneonwhichwehadbeensofuriouslyattacked，afactthatprovedtomethatthesedaisesmusthavebeenusedasaltars，probablyforthecelebrationofreligiousceremonies，andmoreespeciallyofritesconnectedwiththeintermentofthedead。Oneithersideofthisdaiswerepassagesleading，Billaliinformedme，toothercavesfullofdeadbodies。“Indeed，“headded，“thewholemountainisfullofdead，andnearlyallofthemareperfect。” Infrontofthedaisweregatheredagreatnumberofpeopleofbothsexes，whostoodstaringaboutintheirpeculiargloomyfashion，whichwouldhavereducedMarkTapleyhimselftomiseryinaboutfiveminutes。Onthedaiswasarudechairofblackwoodinlaidwithivory，havingaseatmadeofgrassfibre，andafootstoolformedofawoodenslabattachedtotheframeworkofthechair。 Suddenlytherewasacryof“_i_Hiya！Hiya！_i_“(“ _i_She_i_！_i_She_i_！”)，andthereupontheentirecrowdofspectatorsinstantlyprecipitateditselfupontheground，andlaystillasthoughitwereindividuallyandcollectivelystrickendead，leavingmestandingtherelikesomesolitarysurvivorofamassacre。Asitdidsoalongstringofguardsbegantodefilefromapassagetotheleft，andrangedthemselvesoneithersideofthedais。Thenfollowedaboutascoreofmalemutes，thenasmanywomenmutesbearinglamps，andthenatall，whitefigure，swatbedfromheadtofoot，inwhomIrecognized_i_She_i_ herself。_i_She_i_mountedthedaisandsat-downuponthechair，andspoketomeinGreek。Isupposebecauseshedidnotwishthosepresenttounderstandwhatshesaid。 “Comehither，OHolly，“shesaid，“andsitthouatmyfeet，andseemedojusticeonthosewhowouldhaveslainthee。ForgivemeifmyGreekdothhaltlikealameman;itissolongsinceIhaveheardthesoundofitthatmytongueisstiff，andwillnotbendrightlytothewords。” Ibowed，and，mountingthedais，satdownatherfeet。 “Howdidstthousleep，myHolly？”sheasked。 “Isleptnotwell，OAyesha！”Iansweredwithperfecttruth，andwithaninwardfearthatperhapssheknewhowIhadpassedtheheartofthenight。 “So，“shesaid，withalittlelaugh，“I，too，have。 notsleptwell。LestnightIhaddreams，and，methinksthatthoudidstcallthemtome，OHolly。” “Ofwhatdidstthoudream，Ayesha？”Iasked，indifferently。 “Idreamed，“sheanswered，quickly，“ofoneIhateandoneIlove，“andthen，asthoughtoturntheconversation，sheaddressedthecaptainofherguardinArabic：“Letthemenbebroughtbeforeme。” Thecaptainbowedlow，fortheguardandherattendantsdidnotprostratethemselves，buthadremainedstanding，anddepartedwithhisunderlingsdownapassagetotheright。 Thencameasilence。_i_She_i_leanedherswathedheaduponherhandandappearedtobelostinthought，whilethemultitudebeforehercontinuedtogrovelupontheirstomachs，onlyscrewingtheirheadsroundalittlesoastogetaviewofuswithoneeye。Itseemedthattheirqueensorarelyappearedinpublicthattheywerewillingtoundergothisinconvenience，andevengraverrisks，tohavetheopportunityoflookingonher，orratheronhergarments，fornolivingmanthereexceptmyselfhadeverseenherface。 Atlastwecaughtsightofthewavingoflights，andheardthetrampofmencomingalongthepassage，andinfiledtheguard，andwiththemthesurvivorsofourwould-bemurdererstothenumberoftwentyormore，onwhosecountenancesthenaturalexpressionofsullennessstruggledwiththeterrorthatevidentlyfilledtheirsavagehearts。Theywererangedinfrontofthedais，andwouldhavecastthemselvesdownonthefloorofthecavelikethespectators，but_i_She_i_stoppedthem。 “Nay，“shesaid，inhersoftestvoice，Iprayyoustand。Perchancetimewillsoonbewhenyeshallwearyofbeingstretchedout，“shelaughed，melodiously。I sawacringeofterrorrunalongtheofthepoor，doomedwretches，wickedvillainsastheywere，Ifeltforthem。Someminutes，perhapstwoorthree，passedbeforeanythingoccurred，duringwhich_i_She_i_ apppearedfromthemovementofherhead，ofcourse，wecouldnotseeherface，tobeslowlyandcarefullyexaminingeachdelinquent。Atlastshespoke，addressingherselftome，inaquietanddeliberatetone。 “Dostthou，Omyguest，whoartknowninthineowncountrybythenameofthePricklyTree，recognizethesemen？” “Ay，Oqueen，nearlyallofthem，“Isaid，andIsawthemgloweratmeasIsaidit。 “Thentelltome，andthisgreatcompany，thetalewhereofIhaveheard。” Thusadjured，I，inasfewwordsasIcould，relatedthehistoryofthecannibalfeast，andoftheattemptedtortureofourpoorservant。Thenarrativewasreceivedinperfectsilence，bothbytheaccusedandbytheaudience，andalsoby_i_She_i_herself。 WhenIhaddone，AyeshacalleduponBillalibyname，and，liftinghisheadfromtheground，butwithoutrising，theoldmanconfirmedmystory。Nofurtherevidencewastaken。 “Yehaveheard，“said_i_She_i_，atlength，inacold，clearvoice，verydifferentfromherusualtones——indeed，itwasoneofthemostremarkablethingsaboutthisextraordinarycreaturethathervoicehadthepowerofsuitingitselfinawonderfulmannertothemoodofthemoment。“Whathaveyetosay，yerebellionschildren，whyvengeanceshouldnotbedoneuponyou？” Forsometimetherewasnoanswer，butatlastoneofthemen，afine，broad-chestedfellow，welloninmiddlelife，withdeep-gravenfeaturesandaneyelikeahawk’s，spoke，andsaidthattheordersthattheyhadreceivedwerenottoharmthewhitemen;nothingwassaidoftheirblackservant，so，eggedontheretobyawomanwhowasnowdead，theyproceededtotrytohot-pothimaftertheancientandhonorablecustomoftheircountry，withaviewofeatinghiminduecourse。Asfortheattackuponourselves，itwasmadeinanaccessofsuddenfury，andtheydeeplyregrettedit。Heendedbyhumblyprayingthatmercymightbeextendedtothem;or，atleast，thattheymightbebanishedintotheswamps，toliveordieasitmightchance;butIsawitwrittenonhisfacethathehadbutlittlehopeofmercy。 Thencameapause，andthemostintensesilencereignedoverthewholescene，which，illuminatedasitwasbytheflickerofthelampsstrikingoutbroadpatternsoflightandshadowupontherockywalls，wasasstrangeasanyIeversaw，eveninthatunholyland。Uponthegroundbeforethedaiswerestretchedscoresofthecorpselikeformsofthespectators，tillatlastthelonglinesofthemwerelostinthegloomybackground。Beforethisoutstretchedaudienceweretheknotsofevil-doers，tryingtocoveruptheirnaturalterrorswithabraveappearanceofunconcern。Ontherightandleftstoodthesilentguards，robedinwhiteandarmedwithgreatspearsanddaggers，andmenandwomenmuteswatchingwithhard，curiouseyes。Then，seatedinherbarbaricchairabovethemall，withmyselfatherfeet，wastheveiledwhitewoman，whoselovelinessandawesomepowerseemedtovisiblyshineaboutherlikeahalo，orratherliketheglowfromsomeunseenlight。NeverhaveIseenherveiledshapelookmoreterriblethanitdidinthatspace，whileshegatheredherselfupforvengeance。 Atlastitcame。 “Dogsandserpents，“_i_She_i_began，inalowvoicethatgraduallygatheredpowerasshewentontilltheplacerangwithit。“Eatersofhumanflesh，twothingshaveyedone。First，yehaveattackedthesestrangers，beingwhitemen，andwouldhaveslaintheirservant，andforthatalonedeathisyourreward。Butthatisnotall。Yehavedaredtodisobeyme。DidInotsendmyworduntoyoubyBillali，myservant，andthefatherofyourhousehold？DidInotbidyoutohospitablyentertainthesestrangers，whomnowyehavestriventoslay，andwhom，hadnottheybeenbraveandstrongbeyondthestrengthofmen，yewouldcruellyhavemurdered？Hathitnotbeentaughttoyoufromchildhoodthatthelawof_i_She_i_isanever-fixedlaw，andthathewhobreakethitbysomuchasonejotortittleshallperish？Andisnotmylightestwordalaw？Havenotyourfatherstaughtyouthis，Isay，whileasyetyewerebutchildren？Doyenotknowthataswellmightyebidthesegreatcavestofalluponyou，orthesuntoceaseitsjourneying，astohopetoturnmefrommycourses，ormakemywordlightorheavy，accordingtoyourminds？Welldoyeknowit，yewickedones。Butyeareallevil——eviltothecore—— thewickednessbubblesupinyoulikeafountaininthespring-time。Wereitnotforme，generationssincehadyeceasedtobe，forofyourownevilwayhadyedestroyedeachother。Andnow，becauseyehavedonethisthing，becauseyehavestriventoputthesemen，myguests，todeath，andyetmorebecauseyehavedaredtodisobeymyword，thisisthedoomthatIdoomyouto。Thatyebetakentothecaveoftorture，andgivenovertothetormentors，andthatonthegoingdownofto-morrow’ssunthoseofyouwhoyetremainalivebeslain，evenasyewouldhaveslaintheservantofthismyguest。” _i_She_i_ceased，andafaintmurmurofhorrorranroundthecave。Asforthevictims，assoonastheyrealizedthefullhideousnessoftheirdoom，theirstoicismforsookthem，andtheyflungthemselvesdownupontheground，andweptandimploredformercyinawaythatwasdreadfultobehold。I，too，turnedtoAyesha，andbeggedhertosparethem，oratleasttometeouttheirfateinsomelessawfulway。Butshewashardasadamantaboutit。 “MyHolly，“shesaid，againspeakinginGreek，which，totellthetruth，althoughIhavealwaysbeenconsideredabetterscholarofthatlanguagethanmostmen，Ifounditratherdifficulttofollow，chieflybecauseofthechangeinthefalloftheaccent。 Ayesha，ofcourse，talkedwiththeaccentofhercontemporaries，whereaswehaveonlytraditionandthemodernaccenttoguideusastotheexactpronunciation——“MyHolly，itcannotbe。WereItoshowmercytothosewolves，yourliveswouldnotbesafeamongthispeopleforaday。Thouknowestthemnot。 Theyaretigerstolapblood，andevennowtheyhungerforyourlives。HowthinkestthouthatIrulethispeople？Ihavebutaregimentofguardstodomybidding，thereforeitisnotbyforce。Itisbyterror。Myempireisoftheimagination。OnceinagenerationmayhapIdoasIhavedonebutnow，andslayascorebytorture。BelievenotthatIwouldbecruel，ortakevengeanceonanythingsolow。Whatcanitprofitmetobeavengedonsuchasthese？Thosewholivelong，myHolly，havenopassions，savewheretheyhaveinterests。ThoughImayseemtoslayinwrath，orbecausemymoodiscrossed，itisnotso。Thouhastseenhowintheheavensthelittlecloudsblowthiswayandthatwithoutacause，yetbehindthemisthegreatwindsweepingonitspathwhitheritlisteth。Soisitwithme，OHolly。Mymoodsandchangesarethelittleclouds，andfitfullytheseseem。toturn;butbehindthemeverblowsthegreatwindofmypurpose。 Nay，themenmustdie;anddieasIhavesaid。”Then，suddenlyturningtothecaptainoftheguard-“Asmywordis，sobeit！” CHAPTERX—— THETOMBSOFKO^R AFTERtheprisonershadbeenremoved，Ayeshawavedherhand，andthespectatorsturnedround，andbegantocrawloffdownthecavelikeascatteredflockofsheep。Whentheywereafairdistancefromthedais，however，theyroseandwalkedaway，leavingthequeenandmyselfalone，withtheexceptionofthemutesandthefewremainingguards，mostofwhomhaddepartedwiththedoomedmen。Thinkingthisagoodopportunity，Iasked_i_She_i_tocomeandseeLeo，tellingherofhisseriouscondition;butshewouldnot，sayingthathecertainlywouldnotdiebeforethenight，aspeopleneverdiedofthatsortoffeverexceptatnightfallordawn。Alsoshesaidthatitwouldbebettertoletthesicknessspenditscourseasmuchaspossiblebeforeshecuredit。Accordingly，Iwasrisingtoleave，whenshebademefollowher，asshewouldtalkwithme，andshowmethewondersofthecaves。 Iwastoomuchinvolvedinthewebofherfatalfascinationstosayherno，evenifIhadwished，whichIdidnot。_i_She_i_rosefromherchair，and，makingsomesignstothemutes，descendedfromthedais。Thereonfourofthegirlstooklamps，andrangedthemselvestwoinfrontandtwobehindus，buttheotherswentaway，asalsodidtheguards。 “Now，“shesaid，“wouldstthouseesomeofthewondersofthisplace，OHolly？Lookuponthisgreatcave。 Sawestthoueverthelike？Yetwasit，andmanymorelikeit，hollowedbythehandsofthedeadracethatoncelivedhereinthecityontheplain。Agreatandawonderfulpeoplemust？theyhavebeen，thosemenofKo^r，but，liketheEgyptians，theythoughtmoreofthedeadthanoftheliving。Howmanymen，thinkestthou，workingforhowmanyyears，diditneedtothehollowingoutthiscaveandallthe。galleriesthereof？” “Tensofthousands，“Ianswered。 “So，OHolly。ThispeoplewasanoldpeoplebeforetheEgyptianswere。AlittlecanIreadoftheirinscriptions，havingfoundthekeythereto——and，seethouhere，thiswasoneofthelastofthecavesthattheyhollowed，“and，turningtotherockbehindher，shemotionedthemutestoholdupthelamps。Carvenoverthedaiswasthefigureofanoldmanseatedinachair，withanivoryrodinhishand。Itstruckmeatoncethathisfeatureswereexceedinglylikethoseofthemanwhowasrepresentedasbeingembalmedinthechamberwherewetookourmeals。Beneaththechair，which，bytheway，wasshapedexactlyliketheoneinwhichAyeshahadsattogivejudgment，wasashortinscriptionintheextraordinarycharactersofwhichI havealreadyspoken，butwhichIdonotremembersufficientoftoillustrate。ItlookedmorelikeChinesewritingthananyotherthatIamacquaintedwith。ThisinscriptionAyeshaproceeded，withsomedifficultyandhesitation，toreadaloudandtranslate。Itranasfollows： “Intheyearfourthousandtwohundredandninety-ninefromthefoundingoftheCityofimperialKo^rwasthiscave(orburial-place)completedbyTisno，KingofKar，thepeoplethereoyandtheirslaveshavinglaboredthereatforthreegenerations，tobeatombfortheircitizensofrankwhoshallcomeafter。Maytheblessingoftheheavenabovetheheavenrestupontheirwork，andmakethesleepofTisno，themightymonarch，thelikenessofwhosefeaturesisgravenabove，asoundandhappysleeptillthedayofawakening，andalsothesleepo！hisservants，andofthoseofhisracewho，risingupafterhim，shallyetlaytheirheadsaslow。” “’Thouseest，OHolly，“shesaid，“thispeoplefoundedthecity，ofwhichtheruinsyetcumbertheplainyonder，fourthousandyearsbeforethiscavewasfinished。Yet，whenfirstmineeyesbeheldittwothousandyearsago，wasitevenasitisnow。Judge，therefore，howoldmustthatcityhavebeen！Andnow，followthoume，andIwillshowtheeafterwhatfashionthisgreatpeoplefellwhenthetimewascomeforittofall，“andsheledthewaydowntothecentreofthecave，stoppingataspotwherearoundrockhadbeenletintoakindoflargemanholeintheflooring，accuratelyfillingitjustastheironplatesfillthespacesintheLondonpavementsdownwhichthecoalsarethrown。“Thouseest，“shesaid。 “Tellme，whatisit？” “Nay，Iknownot，“Ianswered;whereonshecrossedtotheleft-handsideofthecave(lookingtowardstheentrance)andsignedtothemutestoholdupthelamps。OnthewallwassomethingpaintedwitharedpigmentinsimilarcharacterstothosehewnbeneaththesculptureofTisno，KingofKo^r。Thisinscriptionsheproceededtotranslatetome，thepigmentstillbeingquitefreshenoughtoshowtheformoftheletters。Itranasfollows： “’I，Junis，apriestoftheGreatTempleofKo^r，writethisupontherockoftheburying-placeintheyearfourthousandeighthundredandthreefromthefoundingofKo^r。Ko^risfallen！Nomoreshallthemightyfeastinherhalls，nomoreshallsheruletheworld，andhernaviesgoouttocommercewiththeworld。Ko^risfallen！andhermightyworksandallthecitiesofKo^r，andalltheharborsthatshebuiltandthecanalsthatshemade，areforthewolfandtheowlandthewildswan，andthebarbarianwhocomesafter。TwentyandfivemoonsagodidacloudsettleuponKo^r，andthehundredcitiesofKo^r，andoutofthecloudcameapestilencethatslewpeople，oldandyoung，onewithanother。Onewithanotherturnedblackanddied——theyoungtheold，therichandthepoor，thethewoman，theprinceandthethepestilenceslewandslew，andnotbydayorbynight，andthosewhoescapedfromthepestilencewereslainofthefamine。 NolongercouldthebodiesofthechildrenofKo^rbepreservedaccordingtotheancientrites，becauseofthenumberofthedead，thereforeweretheyhurledintothegreatpitbeneaththecavethroughtheholeinthefloorofthecave。Thenatlast，aremnantofthisthegreatpeople，thelightofthewholeworld，wentdowntothecoastandtookshipandsailednorthwards;andnowamI，thePriestJunis，whowritethis，thelastmanleftaliveofthisgreatcityofmen，butwhethertherebeanyyetleftintheothercitiesIknownot。ThisdoIwriteinmiseryofheartbeforeIdie，becauseKo^rtheImperialisnomore，andbecausetherearenonetoworshipinhertemple，andallherpalacesareempty，andherprincesandhercaptainsandhertradersandherfairwomenhavepassedoffthefaceoftheearth。” Igaveasighofastonishment——theutterdesolationdepictedinthisrudescrawlwassooverpowering。Itwasterribletothinkofthissolitarysurvivorofamightypeoplerecordingitsfatebeforehetoowentdownintodarkness。Whatmusttheoldmanhavefeltas，inghastly，terrifyingsolitude，bythelightofonelampfeeblyilluminingalittlespaceofgloom，heinafewbrieflinesdaubedthehistoryofhisnation’sdeathuponthecavernwall？Whatasubjectforthemoralist，orthepainter，orindeedforanyonewhocanthink！ “Dothitnotoccurtothee，OHolly，“saidAyesha，layingherhanduponmyshoulder，“thatthosemenwhosailednorthmayhavebeenthefathersofthefirstEgyptians？” “Nay，Iknownot，“Isaid;“itseemsthattheworldisveryold。” “Old？Yes，itisold。indeed。Timeaftertimehavenations，ay，andrichandstrongnations，learnedinthearts，beenandpassedawayandbeenforgotten，sothatnomemoryofthemremains。Thisisbutoneofseveral;forTimeeatsuptheworksofman，unless，indeed，hedigsincaveslikethepeopleofKo^r，andthenmayhaptheseaswallowsthem，ortheearthquakeshakesthemin。Whoknowswhathathbeenontheearth，orwhatshallbe？Thereisnonewthingunderthesun，asthewiseHebrewwrotelongago。Yetwerenotthesepeopleutterlydestroyed，asIthink。Somefewremainedintheothercities，fortheircitiesweremany。Butthebarbariansfromthesouth，orperchancemypeople，theArabs，camedownuponthem，andtooktheirwomentowife，andtheraceoftheAmahaggerthatisnowisabastardbroodofthemightysonsofKo^r，andbeholditdwellethinthetombswithitsfathers’bones。ButIknownot：whocanknow？MyartscannotpiercesofarintotheblacknessofTime’snight。Agreatpeoplewerethey。Theyconqueredtillnonewerelefttoconquer，andthentheydweltateasewithintheirrockymountainwalls，withtheirmanservantsandtheirmaid-servants，theirminstrels，theirsculptors，andtheirconcubines，andtradedandquarrelled，andateandhuntedandsleptandmademerrytilltheirtimecame。Butcome，Iwillshowtheethegreatpitbeneaththecavewhereofthewritingspeaks。Nevershallthineeyeswitnesssuchanothersight。” AccordinglyIfollowedhertoasidepassageopeningoutofthemaincave，thendownagreatnumberofsteps，andalonganundergroundshaftwhichcannothavebeenlessthansixtyfeetbeneaththesurfaceoftherock，andwasventilatedbycuriousboringsthatranupward，Idonotknowwhere。Suddenlythepassageended，andshehaltedandbadethemutesholdupthelamps，and，asshehadprophesied，IsawascenesuchasIwasnotlikelytoseeagain。Wewerestandinginanenormouspit，orratherontheedgeofit，foritwentdowndeeper——Idonotknowhowmuch——thanthelevelonwhichwestood，andwasedgedinwithalowwallofrock。SofarasIcouldjudge，thispitwasaboutthesizeofthespacebeneaththedomeofSt。 Paul’sinLondon，andwhenthelampswereheldupI sawthatitwasnothingbutonevastcharnelhouse，beingliterallyfullofthousandsofhumanskeletons，whichlaypiledupinanenormousgleamingpyramid，formedbytheslippingdownofthebodiesattheapexasfreshonesweredroppedinfromabove。AnythingmoreappallingthanthisjumbledmassoftheremainsofadepartedraceIcannotimagine，andwhatmadeitevenmoredreadfulwasthatinthisdryairaconsiderablenumberofthebodieshadsimplybecomedesiccatedwiththeskinonthem，andnow，fixedineveryconceivableposition，staredatusoutofthemountainofwhitebones，grotesquelyhorriblecaricaturesofhumanity。InmyastonishmentIutteredanejaculation，andtheechoesofmyvoiceringinginthevaultedspacedisturbedaskullthathadbeenaccuratelybalancedformanythousandsofyearsneartheapexofthepile。Downitcamewitharun，houndingalongmerrilytowardsus，andofcoursebringinganavalancheofotherbonesafterit，tillatlastthewholepitrattledwiththeirmovement，evenasthoughtheskeletonsweregettinguptogreetus。 “Come，“Isaid，“Ihaveseenenough。Thesearethebodiesofthosewhodiedofthegreatsickness，isitnotso？”Iadded，asweturnedaway。 “Yes。ThepeopleofKo^reverembalmedtheirdead，asdidtheEgyptians，buttheirartwasgreaterthantheartoftheEgyptians，forwhereastheEgyptiansdisembowelledanddrewthebrain，thepeopleofKo^rinjectedfluidintotheveins，andthusreachedeverypart。Butstay，thoushaltsee，“andshehaltedathaphazardatoneofthelittledoorwaysopeningoutofthepassagealongwhichwewerewalking，andmotionedtothemutestolightusin。WeenteredintoasmallchambersimilartotheoneinwhichIhadsleptatourfirststopping-place，onlyinsteadofonethereweretwostonebenchesorbedsinit。Onthebencheslayfigurescoveredwithyellowlinen，onwhichafineandimpalpabledusthadgatheredinthecourseofages，butnothingliketotheextentthatonewouldhaveanticipated，forinthesedeep-hewncavesthereisnomaterialtoturntodust。Aboutthebodiesonthestoneshelvesandfloorofthetombweremanypaintedvases，butIsawveryfewornamentsorweaponsinanyofthevaults。 “Upliftthecloths，OHolly，“saidAyesha，butwhenI putoutmyhandtodosoIdrewitbackagain。Itseemedlikesacrilege，andtospeakthetruthIwasawedbythedreadsolemnityoftheplace，andofthepresencesbeforeus。Then，withalittlelaughatmyfears，shedrewthemherself，onlytodiscoverotherandyetfinerclothslyingovertheformsuponthestonebench。Thesealsoshewithdrew，andthenforthefirsttimeforthousandsuponthousandsofyearsofdidlivingeyeslookuponthefaceofthatchillydead。Itwasawoman;shemighthavebeenthirty-fiveyearsofage，orperhapsalittleless，andhadcertainlybeenbeautiful。Evennowhercalm，clear-cutfeatures，markedoutwithdelicateeyebrowsandlongeyelasheswhichthrewlittlelinesoftheshadowofthelamplightupontheivoryface，werewonderfullybeautiful。There，robedinwhite，downwhichherblueblackhairwasstreaming，shesleptherlastlongsleep，andonherarm，itsfacepressedagainstherbreast，therelayalittlebabe。Sosweetwasthesight，althoughsoawful，that——Iconfessitwithoutshame——Icouldscarcelywithholdmytears。IttookmebackacrossthedimgulfoftheagestosomehappyhomeindeadImperialKo^r，wherethiswinsomeladygirtaboutwithbeautyhadlivedanddied，anddyingtakenherlast-bornwithhertothetomb。Theretheywerebeforeus，motherandbabe，thewhitememoriesofaforgottenhumanhistoryspeakingmoreeloquentlytotheheartthancouldanywrittenrecordoftheirlives。ReverentlyIreplacedthegrave-cloths，and，withasighthatflowerssofairshould，inthepurposeoftheEverlasting，haveonlybloomedtobegatheredtothegrave，Iturnedtothebodyontheoppositeshelf，andgentlyunveiledit。Itwasthatofamaninadvancedlife，withalong，grizzledbeard，andalsorobedinwhite，probablythehusbandofthelady，who，aftersurvivinghermanyyears，cameatlasttosleeponcemoreforgoodandallbesideher。 Welefttheplaceandenteredothers，ItwouldbetoolongtodescribethemanythingsIsawinthem。Eachonehaditsoccupants，fortheficehundredandoddyearsthatelapsedbetweenthecompletionofthecaveandthedestructionoftheracehadevidentlysufficedtofillthesecatacombs，numberlessastheywere，andallappearedtohavebeenundisturbedsincethedaywhentheywereplacedthere。Icouldfillabookwiththedescriptionofthem，buttodosowouldonlybetorepeatwhatIhavesaid，withvariations。 Nearlyallthebodies，somasterlywastheartwithwhichtheyhadbeentreated，wereasperfectasonthedayofdeaththousandsofyearsbefore。Nothingcametoinjuretheminthedeepsilenceofthelivingrock; theywerebeyondthereachofheatandcoldanddamp，andthearomaticdrugswithwhichtheyhadbeensaturatedwereevidentlypracticallyeverlastingintheireffect。Hereandthere，however，wesawanexception，andinthesecases，althoughthefleshlookedsoundenoughexternally，ifonetouchedititfellin，andrevealedthefactthatthefigurewasbutapileofdust。Thisarose，Ayeshatoldme，fromtheseparticularbodieshaving，eitherowingtohasteintheburialorothercauses，beensoakedinthepreservative，insteadofitsbeinginjectedintothesubstanceoftheflesh。 AboutthelasttombwevisitedImust，however，sayoneword，foritscontentsspokeevenmoreeloquentlytothehumansympathiesthanthoseofthefirst。Ithadbuttwooccupants，andtheylaytogetheronasingleshelf。Iwithdrewthegrave-cloths，andthere，claspedhearttoheart，wereayoungmanandabloominggirl。Herheadrestedonhisarm，andhislipswerepressedagainstherbrow。Iopenedtheman’slinenrobe，andthereoverhisheartwasadagger- wound，andbeneaththegirl’sfairbreastwasalikecruelstab，throughwhichherlifehadebbedaway。Ontherockabovewasaninscriptioninthreewords。 Ayeshatranslatedit。Itwas“WeddedinDeath。” Whatwasthelife-historyofthesetwo，who，ofatruth，werebeautifulintheirlives，andintheirdeathwerenotdivided？ Iclosedmyeyelids，andimaginationtakingupthethreadofthoughtshotitsswiftshuttlebackacrosstheages，weavingapictureontheirblacknesssorealandvividinitsdetailthatIcouldalmostforamomentthinkthatIhadtriumphedo’erthePast，andthatmyspirit’seyeshadpiercedthemysteryofTime。 Iseemedtoseethisfairgirl-form——theyellowhairstreamingdownher，glitteringagainsthergarmentssnowy-white，andthebosomthatwaswhiterthantherobes，evendimmingwithitslustreherornamentsofburnishedgold。Iseemedtoseethegreatcavefilledwithwarriors，beardedandcladinmail，and，onthelighteddaiswhereAyeshahadgivenjudgment，amanstanding，robed，andsurroundedbythesymbolsofhispriestlyoffice。Andupthecavetherecameonecladinpurple，andbeforehimandbehindhimcameminstrelsandfaitmaidens，chantingaweddingsong。 Whitestoodthemaidagainstthealtar，fairerthanthefairestthere——purerthanalily，andmorecoldthanthedewthatglistensinitsheart。Butasthemandrewnearsheshuddered。Thenoutofthepressandthrongtheresprangadark-hairedyouth，andputhisarmaboutthislong-forgottenmaid，andkissedherpalefaceinwhichthebloodshotuplikelightsofthereddawnacrossthesilentsky。Andnexttherewasturmoilanduproar，andaflashingofswords，andtheytoretheyouthfromherarms，andstabbedhim，butwithacryshesnatchedthedaggerfromhisbelt，anddroveitintohersnowybreast，hometotheheart，anddownshefell，andthen，withcriesandwailing，andeverysoundoflamentation，thepageantrolledawayfromthearenaofmyvision，andoncemorethePastshuttoitsbook。 Lethimwhoreadsforgivetheintrusionofadreamintoahistoryoffact。Butitcomesohometome——I sawitallsoclearinamoment，asitwere;and，besides，whoshallsaywhatproportionoffact——past，present，ortocome，maylieintheimagination？Whatisimagination？Perhapsitistheshadowoftheintangibletruth，perhapsitisthesoul’sthought。 Inaninstantthewholethinghadpassedthroughmybrain，and_i_She_i_wasaddressingme。 “Beholdthelotofman，“saidtheveiledAyesha，asshedrewthewindingsheetsbackoverthedeadlovers，speakinginasolemn，thrillingvoice，whichaccordedwellwiththedreamthatIhaddreamed：“tothetomb，andtotheforgetfulnessthathidesthetomb，mustweallcomeatlast！Ay，evenIwholivesolong。Evenforme，OHolly，thousandsuponthousandsofyearshence;thousandsofyearsafterthouhastgonethroughthegateandbeenlostinthemists，adaywilldawnwhereonIshalldie，andbeevenasthouandtheseare。AndthenwhatwillavailthatIhavelivedalittlelonger，holdingoffdeathbytheknowledgeI havewrungfromnature，sinceatlastItoomustdie？ Whatisaspanoftenthousandyears，ortentimestenthousandyears，inthehistoryoftime？Itisasnaught——itisasthemiststhatrollupinthesunlight;itfleethawaylikeanhourofsleeporabreathoftheEternalSpirit。Beholdthelotofman！ Certainlyitshallovertakeus，andweshallsleep。 Certainly，too，weshallawake，andliveagainandagainshallsleep，andsoonandon，throughperiods，spaces，andtimes，fromaeonuntoaeon，tilltheworldisdead，andtheworldsbeyondtheworldaredead，andnaughtlivethsavetheSpiritthatisLife。ButforustwainandforthesedeadonesshalltheendofendsbeLife，orshallitbeDeath？AsyetDeathisbutLife’sNight，butoutoftheNightistheMorrowbornagain，andbothagainbegettheNight。OnlywhenDayandNight，andLifeandDeath，areendedandswallowedupinthatfromwhichtheycame，whatshallbeourfate，OHolly？Whocanseesofar？NotevenI！” Andthen，withasuddenchangeoftoneandmanner—— “Hastthouseenenough，mystrangerguest，orshallI showtheemoreofthewondersofthesetombsthataremypalacehalls？Ifthouwilt，IcanleadtheetowhereTisno，themightiestandmostvalorousKingofKo^r，inwhosedaythesecaveswereended，liesinapompthatseemstomockatnothingness，andbidtheemptyshadowsofthepastdohomagetohissculpturedvanity！” “Ihaveseenenough，Oqueen，“Ianswered。“MyheartisoverwhelmedbythepowerofthepresentDeath。 Mortalityisweak，andeasilybrokendownbyasenseofthecompanionshipthatwaitsuponitsend。Takemehence，OAyesha！” CHAPTERXVII—— THEBALANCETURNS INafewminutes，followingthelampsofthemutes，which，heldoutfromthebodyasabearerholdswaterinavessel，hadtheappearanceoffloatingdownthedarknessbythemselves，wecametoastairwhichledusto_i_She_i_’santeroom，thesamethatBillalihadcreptupuponallfoursonthepreviousday。HereIwouldhavebidthequeenadieu，butshewouldnot。 “Nay，“shesaid，“enterwithme，OHolly，forofatruththyconversationpleasethme。Think，OHolly： fortwothousandyearshaveIhadnonetoconversewithsaveslavesandmyownthoughts，andthoughofallthisthinkinghathmuchwisdomcome，andmanysecretsbeenmadeplain，yetamIwearyofmythoughts，andhavecometoloathemineownsociety，forsurelythefoodthatmemorygivestoeatisbittertothetaste，anditisonlywiththeteethofhopethatwecanbeartobiteit。Nowthoughthythoughtsaregreenandtender，asbecomethonesoyoung，yetaretheythoseofathinkingbrain，andintruththoudostbringbacktomymindcertainofthoseoldphilosopherswithwhomindaysbygoneIhavedisputedatAthens，andatBeccainArabia，forthouhastthesamecrabbedairanddustylook，asthoughthouhadstpassedthydaysinreadingill-writGreek，andbeenstaineddarkwiththegrimeofmanuscripts。Sodrawthecurtain，andsitherebymyside，andwewilleatfruit，andtalkofpleasantthings。See，Iwillagainunveiltothee。Thouhastbroughtitonthyself，O Holly;fairlyhaveIwarnedthee——andthoushaltcallmebeautifulaseventhoseoldphilosopherswerewonttodo。Fieuponthem，forgettingtheirphilosophy！” Andwithoutmoreadoshestoodupandshookthewhitewrappingsfromher，andcameforthshiningandsplendidlikesomeglitteringsnakewhenshehascastherslough;ay，andfixedherwonderfuleyesuponme—— moredeadlythananybasilisk’s——andpiercedmethroughandthroughwiththeirbeauty，andsentherlightlaughringingthroughtheairlikechimesofsilverbells。 Anewmoodwasonher，andtheverycolorofhermindseemedtochangebeneathit。Itwasnolongertorture- tornandhateful，asIhadseenitwhenshewascursingherdeadrivalbytheleapingflames，nolongericilyterribleasinthejudgment-hall，nolongerrichandsombreandsplendid，likeaTyriancloth，asinthedwellingsofthedead。No，hermoodnowwasthatofAphroditetriumphing。Life——radiant，ecstatic，wonderful——seemedtoflowfromherandaroundher。Softlyshelaughedandsighed，andswiftherglancesflew。_i_She_i_shookherheavytresses，andtheirperfumefilledtheplace;shestruckherlittlesandalledfootuponthefloor，andhummedasnatchofsomeoldGreekepithalamium。Allthemajestywasgone，ordidbutlurkandfaintlyflickerthroughherlaughingeyes，likelightningseenthroughsunlight。_i_She_i_hadcastofftheterroroftheleapingflame，thecoldpowerofjudgmentthatwasevennowbeingdone，andthewisesadnessofthetombs——castthemoffandputthembehindher，likethewhiteshroudshewore，andnowstoodouttheincarnationoflovely，temptingwomanhood，mademoreperfect——andinawaymorespiritual——thaneverwomanwasbefore。 “There，myHolly，sittherewherethoucanstseeme。 Itisbythineownwish，remember——againIsay，blamemenotifthoudostspendtherestofthylittlespanwithsuchasickpainattheheartthatthouwouldstfainhavediedbeforeeverthycuriouseyesweresetuponme。There，sitso，andtellme，forintruthIaminclinedforpraises——tellme，amInotbeautiful？ Nay，speaknotsohastily;considerwellthepoint; takemefeaturebyfeature，forgettingnotmyform，andmyhandsandfeet，andmyhair，andthewhitenessofmyskin，andthentellmetrulyhastthoueverknownawomanwhoinaught，ay，inonelittleportionofherbeauty，inthecurveofaneyelasheven，orthemodellingofashell-Iikeear，isjustifiedtoholdalightbeforemyloveliness？Now，mywaist！Perchancethouthinkestittoolarge，butofatruthitisnotso;itisthisgoldensnakethatistoolarge，anddothnotbinditasitshould。Itisawisesnake，andknoweththatitisilltotieinthewaist。Butsee，givemethyhands——so——nowpressthemroundme，there，withbutalittleforce，thyfingerstouch，OHolly。” Icouldbearitnolonger。Iambutaman，andshewasmorethanawoman。Heavenknowswhatshewas——ldonot！ButthenandthereIfelluponmykneesbeforeher，andtoldherinasadmixtureoflanguages——forsuchmomentsconfusethethoughts——thatIworshippedherasneverwomanwasworshipped，andthatIwouldgivemyimmortalsoultomarryher，whichatthattimeIcertainlywouldhavedone，andso，indeed，wouldanyotherman，oralltheraceofmenrolledintoone。Foramomentshelookedalittlesurprised，andthenshebegantolaugh，andclapherhandsinglee。 “Oh，sosoon，OHolly！”shesaid。“Iwonderedhowmanyminutesitwouldneedtobringtheetothyknees。I havenotseenamankneelbeforemeforsomanydays，and，believeme，toawoman’sheartthesightissweet;ay，wisdomandlengthofdaystakenotfromthatdearpleasurewhichisoursex’sonlyright。 “Whatwouldstthou？——whatwouldstthou？Thoudostnotknowwhatthoudoest。HaveInottoldtheethatIamnotforthee？Ilovebutone，andthouartnottheman。Ah，Holly，forallthywisdom-andinawaythouartwise——thouartbutafoolrunningafterfolly。 Thouwouldstlookintomineeyes——thouwouldstkissme！Well，ifitpleaseththee，look，“andshebentherselftowardsme，andfixedherdarkandthrillingorbsuponmyown;“ay，andkisstoo，ifthouwilt，for，thanksbegiventotheschemeofthings，kissesleavenomarks，exceptupontheheart。Butifthoudostkiss，Itelltheeofasuretywiltthoueatoutthybreastwithloveofme，anddie！”andshebentyetfarthertowardsmetillhersofthairbrushedmybrow，andherfragrantbreathplayeduponmyface，andmademefaintandweak。Thenofasudden，evenasI stretchedoutmyarmstoclasp，shestraightenedherself，andaquickchangepassedoverher。Reachingoutherhand，shehelditovermyhead，anditseemedtomethatsomethingflowedfromitthatchilledmebacktocommon-sense，andaknowledgeofproprietyandthedomesticvirtues。 “Enoughofthiswantonplay，“shesaid，withatouchofsternness。“Listen，Holly。Thouartagoodandhonestman，andIfainwouldsparethee;but，oh！itissohardforawomantobemerciful。IhavesaidI amnotforthee，thereforeletthythoughtspassbymelikeanidlewind，andthedustofthyimaginationsinkagainintothedepths——well，ofdespair，ifthouwilt。Thoudostnotknowme，Holly。Hadstthouseenmebuttenhourspastwhenmypassionseizedme，thouhadstshrunkfrommeinfearandtrembling。Iamawomanofmanymoods，and，likethewaterinthatvessel，Ireflectmanythings;buttheypass，myHolly;theypass，andareforgotten。Onlythewateristhewaterstill，andIstillamI，andthatwhichmakeththewatermakethit，andthatwhichmakethmemakethme，norcanmyqualitybealtered。Therefore，paynoheedtowhatIseem，seeingthatthoucanstnotknowwhatIam。IfthoutroublestmeagainIwillveilmyself，andthoushaltbeholdmyfacenomore。” Irose，andsankonthecushionedcouchbesideher，yetquiveringwithemotion，thoughforamomentmymadpassionhadleftme，astheleavesofatreequiverstill，althoughthegustbegonethatstirredthem。I didnotdaretotellherthatIhadseenherinthatdeepandhellishmood，mutteringincantationstothefireinthetomb。 “So，“shewenton，“noweatsomefruit;believeme，itistheonlytruefoodforman。Oh，tellmeofthephilosophyofthatHebrewMessiah，whocameafterme，andwhomthousayestdothnowruleRomeandGreeceandEgyptandthebarbariansbeyond。Itmusthavebeenastrangephilosophythathetaught，forinmydaythepeopleswouldhavenaughtofourphilosophies。Revelandlustanddrink，bloodandcoldsteel，andtheshockofmengatheredinthebattle——thesewerethecanonsoftheircreeds。” Ihadrecoveredmyselfalittlebynow，andfeelingbitterlyashamedoftheweaknessintowhichIhadbeenbetrayed，IdidmybesttoexpoundtoherthedoctrinesofChristianity，towhich，however，withthesingleexceptionofourconceptionofheavenandhell，Ifoundthatshepaidbutfaintattention，herinterestbeingalldirectedtowardstheManwhotaughtthem。AlsoItoldherthatamongherownpeople，theArabs，anotherprophet，oneMohammed，hadarisenandpreachedanewfaithtowhichmanymillionsofmankindnowadhered。 “Ah！”shesaid;“Isee——twonewreligions！Ihaveknownsomany，anddoubtlesstherehavebeenmanymoresinceIknewaughtbeyondthesecavesofKo^r。Mankindaskseveroftheskiestovisionoutwhatliesbehindthem。Itisterrorfortheend，andbutasubtlerformofselfishness——thisitisthatbreedsreligions。 Mark，myHolly，eachreligionclaimsthefutureforitsfollowers;or，attheleast，thegoodthereof。Theevilisforthosebenightedoneswhowillhavenoneofit;seeingthelightthetruebelieversworship，asthefishesseethestars，butdimly。Thereligionscomeandthereligionspass，andthecivilizationscomeandpass，andnaughtenduresbuttheworldandhumannature。Ah！ifmanwouldbutseethathopeisfromwithinandnotfromwithout——thathehimselfmustworkouthisownsalvation！Heisthere，andwithinhimisthebreathoflifeandaknowledgeofgoodandevilasgoodandevilistohim。Thereonlethimbuildandstanderect，andnotcasthimselfbeforetheimageofsomeunknownGod，modelledlikehispoorself，butwithabiggerbraintothinktheevilthing;andalongerarmtodoit。” Ithoughttomyself，whichshowshowoldsuchreasoningis，being，indeed，oneoftherecurringquantitiesoftheologicaldiscussion，thatherargumentsoundedverylikesomethatIhaveheardinthenineteenthcentury，andinotherplacesthanthecavesofKo^r，andwithwhich，bytheway，Itotallydisagree，butIdidnotcaretotryanddiscussthequestionwithher。Tobeginwith，mymindwastoowearywithalltheemotionsthroughwhichIhadpassed，and，inthesecondplace，IknewthatIshouldgettheworstofit，Itiswearyworkenoughtoarguewithanordinarymaterialist，whohurlsstatisticsandwholestrataofgeologicalfactsatyourhead，whileyoucanonlybuffethimwithdeductionsandinstinctsandthesnowflakesoffaith，thatare，alas！soapttomeltinthehotembersofourtroubles。Howlittlechance，then，shouldIhaveagainstonewhosebrainwassupernaturalsharpened，andwhohadtwothousandyearsofexperience，besidesallmannerofknowledgeofthesecretsofNatureathercommand！FeelingthatshewouldbemorelikelytoconvertmethanIshouldtoconverther，Ithoughtitbesttoleavethematteralone，andsosatsilent。ManyatimesincethenhaveIbitterlyregrettedthatIdidso;fortherebyIlosttheonlyopportunityIcanrememberhavinghadofascertainingwhatAyeshareallybelieved，andwhather“philosophy“was。 “Well，myHolly，“shecontinued，“andsothosepeopleofminehavealsofoundaprophet，afalseprophetthousayest，forheisnotthineown，and，indeed，I doubtitnot。Yetinmydaywasitotherwise，forthenweArabshadmanygods。Alla^ttherewas，andSaba，theHostofHeaven，AIUzza，andManahthestonyone，forwhomthebloodofvictimsflowed，andWaddandSawa^，andYaghuththeLionofthedwellersinYaman，andYauktheHorseofMorad，andNasrtheEagleofHamyar;ay，andmanymore。Oh，thefollyofitall，theshameandthepitifulfolly！YetwhenIroseinwisdomandspokethereof，surelytheywouldhaveslainmeinthenameoftheiroutragedgods。Well，sohathiteverbeen;but，myHolly，artthouwearyofmealready，thatthoudostsitsosilent？OrdostthoufearlestIshouldteachtheemyphilosophy？forknowIhaveaphilosophy。Whatwouldateacherbewithoutherownphilosophy？andifthoudostvexmeovermuch，beware！forIwillhavetheelearnit，andthoushaltbemydisciple，andwetwainwillfoundafaiththatshallswallowupallothers。Faithlessman！Andbuthalfanhoursincethouwastuponthyknees——theposturedoesnotsuitthee，Holly——swearingthatthoudidstloveme。Whatshallwedo？Nay，Ihaveit。I willcomeandseethisyouth，theLion，astheoldman。Billalicallshim，whocamewiththee，andwhoissosick。Thefevermusthaverunitscoursebynow，andifheisabouttodieIwillrecoverhim。Fearnot，myHolly，Ishallusenomagic。HaveInottoldtheethatthereisnosuchthingasmagic，thoughthereissuchathingasunderstandingandapplyingtheforceswhichareinNature？Gonow;andpresentlywhenIhavemadethedrugreadyIwillfollowthee。” AccordinglyIwent，onlytofindJobandUstaneinagreatstateofgrief，declaringthatLeowasinthethroesofdeath，andthattheyhadbeensearchingformeeverywhere。Irushedtothecouch，andglancedathim：clearlyhewasdying。Hewassenseless，andbreathingheavily，buthislipswerequivering，andeverynowandagainalittleshudderrandownhisframe。Iknewenoughofdoctoringtoseethatinanotherhourhewouldbebeyondthereachofearthlyhelp——perhapsinanotherfiveminutes。HowIcursedmyselfishnessandthefollythathadkeptmelingeringbyAyesha’ssidewhilemydearboylaydying！Alasandalas！howeasilythebestofusarelighteddowntoevilbythegleamofawoman’seyes！WhatawickedwretchwasI！Actually，forthelasthalf-hourIhadscarcelythoughtofLeo，andthis，beitremembered，ofthemanwhofortwentyyearshadbeenmydearestcompanion，andthechiefinterestofmyexistence。Andnow，perhaps，itwastoolate！