第6章

Iwrungmyhands，andglancedround。Ustanewassittingbythecouch，andinhereyesburnedthedulllightofdespair。Jobwasblubbering——IamsorryI cannotnamehisdistressbyanymoredelicateword—— audiblyinthecorner。Seeingmyeyefixeduponhimhewentoutsidetogivewaytohisgriefinthepassage。 ObviouslytheonlyhopelayinAyesha。_i_She_i_，andshealone——unless，indeed，shewasanimpostor，whichIcouldnotbelieve——couldsavehim。Iwouldgoandimplorehertocome。AsIstaredtodoso，however，Jobcameflyingintotheroom，hishairliterallystandingonendwithterror。 “Oh，Godhelpus，sir！”heejaculated，inafrightenedwhisper，“here’sacorpsea-comingslidingdownthepassage！” ForamomentIwaspuzzled，butpresently，ofcourse，itstruckmethathemusthaveseenAyesha，wrappedinhergravelikegarment，andbeendeceivedbytheextraordinaryundulatingsmoothnessofherwalkintoabeliefthatshewasawhiteghostglidingtowardshim。 Indeed，atthatverymomentthequestionwassettled，forAyeshaherselfwasintheapartment，orrathercave。Jobturned，andsawhersheetedform，andthen，withaconvulsivehowlof“Hereitcomes！”sprangintoacorner，andjammedhisfaceagainstthewall，andUstane，guessingwhosethedreadpresencemustbe，prostratedherselfuponherface。 “Thoucomestinagoodtime，Ayesha，“Isaid，“formyboyliesatthepointofdeath。” “So，“shesaid，softly;“providedhebenotdead，itisnomatter，forIcanbringhimbacktolife，myHolly。Isthatmantherethyservant，andisthatthemethodwherewiththyservantsgreetstrangersinthycountry？” “Heisfrightenedofthygarb——ithathadeathlikeair，“Ianswered。_i_She_i_laughed。 “Andthegirl？Ah，Iseenow。Itisherofwhomthoudidstspeaktome。Well，bidthembothtoleaveus，andwewillseetothissickLionofthine。Ilovenotthatunderlingsshouldperceivemywisdom。” ThereonItoldUstaneinArabicandJobinEnglishbothtoleavetheroom;anorderwhichthelatterobeyedreadilyenough，andwasgladtoobey，forhecouldnotinanywaysubduehisfear。ButitwasotherwisewithUstane。 “Whatdoes_i_She_i_want？”shewhispered，dividedbetweenherfearoftheterriblequeenandheranxietytoremainnearLeo。“Itissurelytherightofawifetobenearherhusbandwhenhedieth。Nay，Iwillnotgo，mylord，theBaboon。” “Whydothnotthatwomanleaveus，myHolly？”askedAyesha，fromtheotherendofthecave，whereshewasengagedincarelesslyexaminingsomeofthesculpturesonthewall。 “_i_She_i_isnotwillingtoleaveLeo，“I answered，notknowingwhattosay。Ayeshawheeledround，and，pointingtothegirlUstane，saidoneword，andoneonly，butitwasquiteenough，forthetoneinwhichitwassaidmeantvolumes。 “Go！” AndthenUstanecreptpastheronherhandsandknees，andwent。 “Thouseest，myHolly，“saidAyesha，withalittlelaugh，“itwasneedfulthatIshouldgivethesepeoplealessoninobedience。Thatgirlwentnightodisobeyingme，butthenshedidnotlearnthismornhowItreatthedisobedient。Well，shehasgone;andnowletmeseetheyouth，“andsheglidedtowardsthecouchonwhichLeolay，withhisfacehtheshadowandturnedtowardsthewall。 “Hehathanobleshape，“shesaid，asshebentoverhimtolookuponhisface。 Nextsecondhertallandwillowyformwasstaggeringbackacrosstheroom，asthoughshehadbeenshotorstabbed，staggeringbacktillatlastshestruckthecavernwallandthenthereburstfromherlipsthemostawfulandunearthlyscreamthatIeverheardinallmylife。 “Whatisit，Ayesha？”Icried。“Ishedead？” _i_She_i_turned，andsprangtowardsmelikeatigress。“Thoudog！”shesaid，inherterriblewhisper，whichsoundedlikethehissofasnake，“whydidstthouhidethisfromme？”Andshestretchedoutherarm，andIthoughtthatshewasabouttoslayme。 “What？”Iejaculated，inthemostlivelyterror; “what？” “Ah！”shesaid，“perchancethoudidstnotknow。Learn，myHolly，learn：therelies——thereliesmylostKallikrates。Kallikrates，whohascomebacktomeatlast，asIknewhewould，asIknewhewould;“andshebegantosobandtolaugh，andgenerallytoconductherselflikeanyotherladywhoisalittleupset，murmuring“Kallikrates，Kallikrates！” “Nonsense，“thoughtItomyself，butIdidnotliketosayit;and，indeed，atthatmomentIwasthinkingofLeo’slife，havingforgotteneverythingelseinthatterribleanxiety。WhatIfearednowwasthatheshoulddiewhileshewas“carryingon。” “Unlessthouartabletohelphim，Ayesha，“Iputin，bywayofareminder，“thyKallikrateswillsoonbefarbeyondthycalling。Surelyhediethevennow。” “True，“shesaid，withastart。“Oh，whydidInotcomebefore！Iamunnerved——myhandtrembles，evenmine——andyetitisveryeasy。Here，thouHolly，takethisphial，“andsheproducedatinyjarofpotteryfromthefoldsofhergarment，“andpourtheliquidinitdownhisthroat。Itwillcurehimifhebenotdead。Swift，now！Swift！Themandies！” Iglancedtowardshim;itwastrueenough，Leowasinhisdeath-struggle。Isawhispoorfaceturningashen，andheardthebreathbegintorattleinhisthroat。 Thephialwasstopperedwithalittlepieceofwood。I drewitwithmyteeth，andadropofthefluidwithinflewoutuponmytongue。Ithadasweetflavor，andforasecondmademyheadswim，andamistgatherbeforemyeyes，buthappilytheeffectpassedawayasswiftlyasithadarisen。 WhenIreachedLeo’ssidehewasplainlyexpiring——hisgoldenheadwasslowlyturningfromsidetoside，andhismouthwasslightlyopen。IcalledtoAyeshatoholdhishead，andthisshemanagedtodo，thoughthewomanwasquiveringfromheadtofoot，likeanaspen- leaforastartledhorse。Then，forcingthejawalittlemoreopen，Ipouredthecontentsofthephialintohismouth。Instantlyalittlevaporarosefromit，ashappenswhenonedisturbsnitricacid，andthissightdidnotincreasemyhopes，alreadyfaintenough，oftheefficacyofthetreatment。 Onething，however，wascertain，thedeath-throesceased——atfirstIthoughtbecausehehadgotbeyondthem，andcrossedtheawfulriver。Hisfaceturnedtoalividpallor，andhisheart-beats，whichhadbeenfeebleenoughbefore，seemedtodieawayaltogether—— onlytheeyelidstilltwitchedalittle。InmydoubtI lookedupatAyesha，whoseheadwrappinghadslippedbackinherexcitementwhenshewentreelingacrosstheroom。_i_She_i_wasstillholdingLeo’shead，and，withafaceaspaleashisown，watchinghiscountenancewithsuchanexpressionofagonizedanxietyasIhaveneverseenbefore。Clearlyshedidnotknowifhewouldliveordie。Fiveminutesslowlypassed，andIsawthatshewasabandoninghope;herlovelyovalfaceseemedtofallinandgrowvisiblythinnerbeneaththepressureofamentalagonywhosepencildrewblacklinesaboutthehollowsofhereyes。 Thecoralfadedevenfromherlips，tilltheywereaswhiteasLeo’sface，andquiveringpitifully。Itwasshockingtoseeher：eveninmyowngriefIfeltforhers。 “Isittoolate？”Igasped。 _i_She_i_hidherfaceinherhandsandmadenoanswer，andItooturnedaway。ButasIdidsoIheardadeep-drawnbreath，andlookingdownperceivedalineofcolorcreepingupLeo’sface，thenanotherandanother，andthen，wonderofwonders，themanwehadthoughtdeadturned-overonhisside。 “Thouseest，“Isaid，inawhisper。 “Isee，“sheanswered，hoarsely。“Heissaved。I thoughtweweretoolate——anothermoment——onelittlemomentmore——andhehadbeengone！”andsheburstintoanawfulfloodoftears，sobbingasthoughherheartwouldbreak，andyetlookinglovelierthaneverasshedidit。Atlastsheceased。 “Forgiveme，myHolly——forgivemeformyweakness，“ shesaid。“ThouseestafterallIamaverywoman。 Think——nowthinkofit！Thismorningdidstthouspeakoftheplaceoftormentappointedbythisnewreligionofthine。HellorHadesthoudidstcallit——aplacewherethevitalessencelivesandretainsanindividualmemory，andwherealltheerrorsandfaultsofjudgment，andunsatisfiedpassionsandtheunsubstantialterrorsofthemindwherewithithathatanytimehadtodo，cometomockandhauntandgibeandwringtheheartforeverandforeverwiththevisionofitsownhopelessness。Thus，eventhus，haveIlivedforfulltwothousandyears——forsomesix-and- sixtygenerations，asyereckontime——inaHell，asthoucallestit——tormentedbythememoryofacrime，tortureddayandnightwithanunfulfilleddesire—— withoutcompanionship，withoutcomfort，withoutdeath，andledononlydownmydrearyroadbythemarshlightsofHope，which，thoughtheyflickeredhereandthere，andnowglowedstrong，andnowwerenot，yet，asmyskilltoldme，wouldonedayleaduntomydeliverer。 “Andthen——thinkofitstill，OHolly，fornevershaltthouhearsuchanothertale，orseesuchanotherscene，nay，notevenifIgivetheetenthousandyearsoflife——andthoushalthaveitinpaymentifthouwilt——think：atlastmydeliverercame——heforwhomI hadwatchedandwaitedthroughthegenerations——attheappointedtimehecametoseekme，asIknewthathemustcome，formywisdomcouldnoterr，thoughIknewnotwhenorhow。YetseehowignorantIwas！Seehowsmallmyknowledge，andhowfaintmystrength！Forhourshelayheresickuntodeath，andIfeltitnot—— Iwhohadwaitedforhimfortwothousandyears——I knewitnot。AndthenatlastIseehim，andbehold，mychanceisgonebutbyahair’s-breadthevenbeforeIhaveit，forheisintheveryjawsofdeath;whencenopowerofminecandrawhim。Andifhedie，surelymusttheHellbelivedthroughoncemore——oncemoremustIfacethewearycenturies，andwait，andwaittillthetimeinitsfulnessshallbringmybelovedbacktome。Andthenthougavesthimthemedicine，andthatfiveminutesdraggedalongbeforeIknewifhewouldliveordie，andItelltheethatallthesixtygenerationsthataregonewerenotsolongasthatfiveminutes。Buttheypassedatlength，andstillheshowednosign，andIknewthatifthedrugworksnotthen，sofarasIhavehadknowledge，itworksnotatall。ThenthoughtIthathewasoncemoredead，andallthetorturesofalltheyearsgatheredthemselvesintoasinglevenomedspear，andpiercedmethroughandthrough，becauseonceagainIhadlostKallikrates！Andthen，whenallwasdone，behold！hesighed;behold！helived，andIknewthathewouldlive，fornonedieonwhomthedrugtakeshold。Thinkofitnow，myHolly——thinkofthewonderofit！Hewillsleepfortwelvehours，andthenthefeverwillhavelefthim！” _i_She_i_stopped，andlaidherhanduponthegoldenhead，andthenbentdownandkissedthebrowwithachastenedabandonmentoftendernessthatwouldhavebeenbeautifultobeholdhadnotthesightcutmetotheheart——forIwasjealous！ CHAPTERXVIII—— GO，WOMAN！ THENfollowedasilenceofaminuteorso，duringwhich_i_She_i_appeared，ifonemightjudgefromthealmostangelicraptureofherface——forshelookedangelicsometimes——tobeplungedinahappyecstasy。 Suddenly，however，anewthoughtstruckher，andherexpressionbecametheveryreverseofangelic。 “AlmosthadIforgotten，“shesaid，“thatwoman，Ustane。WhatisshetoKallikrates——hisservant，or——“ andshepaused，andhervoicetrembled。 Ishruggedmyshoulders。“IunderstandthatsheiswedtohimaccordingtothecustomoftheAmahagger，“I answered;“butIknownot。” Herfacegrewdarkasathundercloud。Oldasshewas，Ayeshahadnotoutlivedjealousy。 “Thenthereisanend，“shesaid;“shemustdie，evennow！” “Forwhatcrime？”Iasked，horrified。“Sheisguiltyofnaughtthatthouartnotguiltyofthyself，O Ayesha。Shelovestheman，andhehasbeenpleasedtoacceptherlove：where，then，isherSin？” “Truly，OHolly，thouartfoolish，“sheanswered，almostpetulantly。“Whereishersin？Hersinisthatshestandsbetweenmeandmydesire。WellIknowthatIcantakehimfromher——fordwellsthereamanuponthisearth，OHolly，whocouldresistmeifIputoutmystrength？Menarefaithfulforsolongonlyastemptationspassthemby。Ifthetemptationbebutstrongenough，thenwillthemanyield，foreveryman，likeeveryrope，hathhisbreakingstrain，andpassionistomenwhatgoldandpoweraretowomen——theweightupontheirweakness。Believeme，illwillitgowithmortalwomeninthatheavenofwhichthouspeakest，ifonlythespiritsbemorefair，fortheirlordswillneverturntolookuponthem，andtheirheavenwillbecometheirhell。Formancanbeboughtwithwoman’sbeauty，ifitbebutbeautifulenough;andwoman’sbeautycanbeeverboughtwithgold，ifonlytherebegoldenough。Sowasitinmyday，andsoitwillbetotheendoftime。Theworldisagreatmart，myHolly，whereallthingsareforsaletohimwhobidsthehighestinthecurrencyofourdesires。” Theseremarks，whichwereascynicalasmighthavebeenexpectedfromawomanofAyesha’sageandexperience，jarreduponme，andIanswered，testily，thatinourheaventherewasnomarriageorgivinginmarriage。 “Elsewoulditnotbeheaven，dostthoumean？”sheputin。“Fieuponthee，Holly，tothinksoillofuspoorwomen！Isit，then，marriagethatmarksthelinebetweenthyheavenandthyhell？Butenoughofthis。 Thisisnotimefordisputingandthechallengeofourwits。Whydostthoualwaysdispute？Artthoualsoaphilosopheroftheselatterdays？Asforthiswoman，shemustdie;forthoughIcantakeherloverfromher，yet，whileshelived，mighthethinktenderlyofher，andthatIcannotawaywith。Nootherwomanshalldwellinmylord’sthoughts;myempireshallbeallmyown。Shehathhadherday，letherbecontent;forbetterisanhourwithlovethanacenturyofloneliness——nowthenightshallswallowher。” “Nay，nay，“Icried，“itwouldbeawickedcrime;andfromacrimenaughtcomesbutwhatisevil。Forthineownsakedonotthisdeed。” “Isit，then，acrime，Ofoolishman，toputawaythatwhichstandsbetweenusandourends？Thenisourlifeonelongcrime，myHolly;fordaybydaywedestroythatwemaylive，sinceinthisworldnonesavethestrongestcanendure。Thosewhoareweakmustperish; theearthistothestrong，andthefruitsthereof。 Foreverytreethatgrows，ascoreshallwither，thatthestrongonesmaytaketheirshare。Weruntoplaceandpoweroverthedeadbodiesofthosewhofailandfall;ay，wewinthefoodweeatfromoutthemouthsofstarvingbabes。Itistheschemeofthings。Thousayest，too，thatacrimebreedsevil，butthereinthoudostlackexperience;foroutofcrimescomemanygoodthings，andoutofgoodgrowsmuchevil。Thecruelrageofthetyrantmayproveablessingtothousandswhocomeafterhim，andthesweet- heartednessofaholymanmaymakeanationslaves。 Mandoeththisanddoeththatfromthegoodorevilofhisheart;butheknowethnottowhatendhismoralsensedothprompthim;forwhenhestrikethheisblindtowheretheblowshallfall，norcanhecounttheairythreadsthatweavethewebofcircumstance。 Goodandevil，loveandhate，nightandday，sweetandbitter，manandwoman，heavenaboveandearthbeneath—— allthesethingsarenecessaryonetotheother，andwhoknowstheendofeach？ItelltheethatthereisahandofFatethattwinesthemuptobeartheburdenofitspurpose，andallthingsaregatheredinthatgreatropetowhichallthingsareneedful。Thereforedothitnotbecomeustosaythisthingisevilandthisgood，orthedarkishatefulandthelightlovely;fortoothereyesthanourstheevilmaybethegoodandthedarknessmorebeautifulthantheday，orallalikebefair。Hearestthou，myHolly？” Ifeltitwashopelesstoargueagainstcasuistryofthisnature，which，ifitwerecarriedtoitslogicalconclusion，wouldabsolutelydestroyallmorality，asweunderstandit。Buthertalkgavemeafreshthrilloffear;forwhatmaynotbepossibletoabeingwho，unconstrainedbyhumanlaw，isalsoabsolutelyunshackledbyamoralsenseofrightandwrong，which，howeverpartialandconventionalitmaybe，isyetbased，asourconsciencetellsus，uponthegreatwallofindividualresponsibilitythatmarksoffmankindfromthebeasts。 ButIwasdeeplyanxioustosaveUstane，whomIlikedandrespected，fromthedirefatethatovershadowedheratthehandsofhermightyrival。SoImadeonemoreappeal。 “Ayesha，“Isaid，“thouarttoosubtleforme;butthouthyselfhasttoldmethateachmanshouldbealawuntohimself，andfollowtheteachingofhisheart。Haththyheartnomercytowardsherwhoseplacethouwouldsttake？Bethinkthee，asthousayest—— thoughtomethethingisincredible——himwhomthoudesiresthasreturnedtotheeaftermanyages，andbutnowthouhast，asthousayestalso，wrunghimfromthejawsofdeath。Wiltthoucelebratehiscomingbythemurderofonewholovedhim，andwhomperchanceheloved——one，attheleastwhosavedhislifefortheewhenthespearsofthyslaveswouldhavemadeanendthereof？Thousayestalsothatinpastdaysthoudidstgrievouslywrongthisman，thatwiththineownhandthoudidstslayhimbecauseoftheEgyptianAmenartaswhomheloved。” “Howknowestthouthat，Ostranger？Howknowestthouthatname？Ispokeitnottothee，“shebrokeinwithacry，catchingatmyarm。 “PerchanceIdreamedit，“Ianswered;“strangedreamsdohoveraboutthesecavesofKo^r。Itseemsthatthedreamwas，indeed，ashadowofthetruth。Whatcametotheeofthymadcrime？——twothousandyearsofwaiting，wasitnot？Andnowwouldstthourepeatthehistory？ Saywhatthouwilt，Itelltheethatevilwillcomeofit;fortohimwhodoeth，attheleast，goodbreedsgoodandevilevil，eventhoughinafter-daysoutofevilcomethgood。Offencesmustneedscome;butwoetohimbywhomtheoffencecometh。SosaidthatMessiahofwhomIspoketothee，anditwastrulysaid。Ifthouslayestthisinnocentwoman，Isayuntotheethatthoushaltbeaccursed，andplucknofruitfromthineancienttreeoflove。Also，whatthinkestthou？Howwillthismantaketheeredhandedfromtheslaughterofherwholovedandtendedhim？’’ “Astothat，“sheanswered，“Ihavealreadyansweredthee。HadIslaintheeaswellasher，yetshouldheloveme，Holly，becausehecouldnotsavehimselftherefromanymorethanthoucouldstsavethyselffromdying，ifbychanceIslewthee，OHolly。Andyet，maybethereistruthinwhatthoudostsay;forinsomewayitpressethonmymind。IfitmaybeIwillsparethiswoman;forhaveInottoldtheethatIamnotcruelforthesakeofcruelty？Ilovenottoseesufferingortocauseit。Lethercomebeforeme—— quick，now，beforemymoodchanges，“andshehastilycoveredherfacewithitsgauzywrapping。 Wellpleasedtohavesucceededeventothisextent，I passedoutintothepassageandcalledtoUstane，whosewhitegarmentIcaughtsightofsomeyardsaway，huddledupagainstoneoftheearthenwarelampsthatwereplacedatintervalsalongthetunnel。Sherose，andrantowardsme。 “Ismylorddead？Oh，saynotheisdead，“shecried，liftinghernoble-lookingface，allstainedasitwaswithtears，uptomewithanairofinfinitebeseechingthatwentstraighttomyheart。 “Nay，helives，“Ianswered。“_i_She_i_hathsavedhim。Enter。” Shesigheddeeply，entered，andfelluponherhandsandknees，afterthecustomoftheAmahaggerpeople，inthepresenceofthedread_i_She_i_。 “Stand，“saidAyesha，inhercoldestvoice，“andcomehither。” Ustaneobeyed，standingbeforeherwithbowedhead。 Thencameapause，whichAyeshabroke。 “Whoisthisman？”shesaid，pointingtothesleepingformofLeo。 “Themanismyhusband，“sheansweredinalowvoice。 “Whogavehimtotheeforahusband？” “Itookhimaccordingtothecustomofourcountry，O _i_She_i_。” “Thouhastdoneevil，woman，intakingthisman，whoisastranger。Heisnotamanofthineownrace，andthecustomfails。Listen：perchancethoudidstthisthingthroughignorance，therefore，woman，doIsparethee;otherwisehadstthoudied。Listenagain。Gofromhencebacktothineownplace，andneverdaretospeaktoorsetthineeyesuponthismanagain。Heisnotforthee。Listenathirdtime。Ifthoubreakestthismylaw，thatmomentthoudiest。Go。” ButUstanedidnotmove。 “Go，woman！” Thenshelookedup，andIsawthatherfacewastornwithpassion。 “Nay，O_i_She_i_，Iwillnotgo，“sheanswered，inachokedvoice：“themanismyhusband，andIlovehim——Ilovehim，andIwillnotleavehim。Whatrighthastthoutocommandmetoleavemyhusband？” IsawalittlequiverpassdownAyesha’sframe，andshudderedmyself，fearingtheworst。 “Bepitiful，“IsaidinLatin;“itisbutNatureworking。” “Iampitiful，“sheanswered，coldly，inthesamelanguage;“hadInotbeenpitifulshehadbeendeadevennow。”ThenaddressingUstane：“Woman，Isaytothee，gobeforeIdestroytheewherethouart！” “Iwillnotgo！Heismine——mine！”shecried，inanguish。“Itookhim，andIsavedhislife！Destroyme，then，ifthouhastthepower！Iwillnotgivetheemyhusband——never——never！” AyeshamadeamovementsoswiftthatIcouldscarcelyfollowit，butitseemedtomethatshelightlystruckthepoorgirlupontheheadwithherhand。IlookedatUstane，andthenstaggeredbackinhorror，forthereuponherhair，rightacrossherbronze-liketresses，werethreefinger-markswhiteassnow。Asforthegirlherself，shehadputherhandstoherhead，andwaslookingdazed。 “Greatheavens！”Isaid，perfectlyaghastatthisdreadfulmanifestationofinhumanpower;but_i_She_i_didbutlaughalittle。 “Thouthinkest，poor，ignorantfool，“shesaidtothebewilderedwoman，“thatIhavenotpowertoslay。 Stay，thereliesamirror，“andshepointedtoLeo’sroundshaving-glassthathadbeenarrangedbyJobwithotherthingsuponhisportmanteau;“giveittothiswoman，myHolly，andletherseethatwhichliesacrossherhair，andwhetherornotIhavepowertoslay。” Ipickeduptheglass，andhelditbeforeUstane’seyes。Shegazed，thenfeltatherhair，thengazedagain，andthensankuponthegroundwithasortofsob。 “Now，wiltthougo，ormustIstrikeasecondtime？” askedAyesha，inmockery。“Look，IhavesetmysealupontheesothatImayknowtheetillthyhairisallaswhiteasit。IfIseethyfacehereagain，besuretoo，thatthybonesshallsoonbewhiterthanmymarkuponthyhair。” Utterlyawedandbrokendown，thepoorcreatureroseand，markedwiththatawfulmark，creptfromtheroomsobbingbitterly。 “Looknotsofrighted，myHolly，“saidAyesha，whenShehadgone。“ItelltheeIdealnotinmagic——thereisnosuchthing。’Tisonlyaforcethatthoudostnotunderstand。Imarkedhertostriketerrortoherheart，elsemustIhaveslainher。AndnowIwillbidmyservantsbearmyLordKallikratestoachambernearmineown，thatImaywatchoverhim，andbereadytogreethimwhenhewakes;andthither，too，shaltthoucome，myHolly，andthewhiteman，thyservant。Butonethingrememberatthyperil。NaughtshaltthousaytoKallikratesastohowthiswomanwent，andaslittleasmaybeofme。Now，Ihavewarnedthee！”andsheslidawaytogiveherorders，leavingmemoreabsolutelyconfoundedthanever。Indeed，sobewilderedwasI，andrackedandtornwithsuchasuccessionofvariousemotions，thatIbegantothinkthatImustbegoingmad。However，perhapsfortunately，Ihadbutlittletimetoreflect，forpresentlythemutesarrivedtocarrythesleepingLeoandourpossessionsacrossthecentralcave，soforawhileallwasbustle。OurnewroomsweresituatedimmediatelybehindwhatweusedtocallAyesha’sboudoir——thecurtainedspacewhereIhadfirstseenher。WheresheherselfsleptIdidnotthenknow，butitwassomewherequiteclose。 ThatnightIpassedinLeo’sroom，buthesleptthroughitlikethedead，neveroncestirring。Ialsosleptfairlywell，as，indeed，Ineededtodo，butmysleepwasfullofdreamsofallthehorrorsandwondersIhadundergone。Chiefly，however，Iwashauntedbythatfrightfulpieceof_i_diablerie_i_ bywhichAyeshaleftherfinger-marksuponherrival’shair。Therewassomethingsoterribleabouttheswift，snakelikemovement，andtheinstantaneousblanchingofthatthreefoldline，that，iftheresultstoUstanehadbeenmuchmoretremendous，Idoubtiftheywouldhaveimpressedmesodeeply。TothisdayIoftendreamofthatawfulscene，andseetheweepingwoman，bereaved，andmarkedlikeCain，castalastlookatherlover，andcreepfromthepresenceofherdreadqueen。 Anotherdreamthattroubledmeoriginatedinthehugepyramidofbones。Idreamedthattheyallstoodupandmarchedpastmeinthousandsandtensofthousands——insquadrons，companies，andarmies——withthesunlightshiningthroughtheirhollowribs。OntheyrushedacrosstheplaintoKo^r，theirimperialhome;Isawthedrawbridgesfallbeforethem，andheardtheirbonesclankthroughthebrazengates。Ontheywent，upthesplendidstreets，onpastfountains，palaces，andtemplessuchastheeyeofmanneversaw。Buttherewasnomantogreettheminthemarket-place，andnowoman’sfaceappearedatthewindows——onlyabodilessvoicewentbeforethem，calling：“FallenisImperialKo^r——fallen！——fallen！——fallen！”On，rightthroughthecity，marchedthosegleamingphalanxes，andtherattleoftheirbonytreadechoedthroughthesilentairastheypressedgrimlyon。Theypassedthroughthecityandclimbedthewall，andmarchedalongthegreatroadwaythatwasmadeuponthewall，tillatlengththeyoncemorereachedthedrawbridge。Then，asthesunwassinking，theyreturnedagaintowardstheirsepulchre，andluridlyhislightshoneinthesocketsoftheiremptyeyes，throwinggiganticshadowsoftheirbones，thatstretchedaway，andcreptandcreptlikehugespider’slegsastheirarmieswoundacrosstheplain。Thentheycametothecave，andoncemoreonebyoneflungthemselvesinunendingfilesthroughtheholeintothepitofbones，andIawoke，shuddering，tosee_i_She_i_，whohadevidentlybeenstandingbetweenmycouchandLeo’s，glidelikeashadowfromtheroom。 AfterthisIsleptagain，soundlythistime，tillmorning，whenIawokemuchrefreshed，andgotup。Atlastthehourdrewnearatwhich，accordingtoAyesha，Leowastoawake，andwithitcame_i_She_i_ herself，asusual，veiled。 “Thoushaltsee，OHolly，“shesaid;“presentlyshallheawakeinhisrightmind，thefeverhavinglefthim。” Hardlywerethewordsoutofhermouth，whenLeoturnedroundandstretchedouthisarms，yawned，openedhiseyes，and，perceivingafemaleformbendingoverhim，threwhisarmsroundherandkissedher，mistakingher，perhaps，forUstane。Atanyrate，hesaid，inArabic，“Hullo！Ustane，whyhaveyoutiedyourheaduplikethat？Haveyougotthetoothache？” andthen，inEnglish，“Isay，I’mawfullyhungry。Why，Job，youoldson-of-a-gun，wherethedeucehavewegottonow——eh？” “IamsureIwishIknew，Mr。Leo，“saidJob，edgingsuspiciouslypastAyesha，whomhestillregardedwiththeutmostdisgustandhorror，beingbynomeanssurethatshewasnotananimatedcorpse;“butyoumustn’ttalk，Mr。Leo，you’vebeenveryill，andgivenusagreatdealofhanxiety，and，ifthislady，“lookingatAyesha，“wouldbesokindastomove，I’llbringyouyoursoup。” ThisturnedLeo’sattentiontothe“lady，“whowasstandingbyinperfectsilence。“Hullo！”hesaid; “thatisnotUstane——whereisUstane？” Then，forthefirsttime，Ayeshaspoketohim，andherfirstwordswerealie。“Shehasgonefromhenceuponavisit，“shesaid;“and，behold，inherplaceamI hereasthinehandmaid。” Ayesha’ssilvernotesseemedtopuzzleLeo’shalf- awakenedintellect，asalsoIdidhercorpselikewrappings。However，hesaidnothingatthetime，butdrankoffhissoupgreedilyenough，andthenturnedoverandsleptagaintilltheevening。Whenhewokeforthesecondtimehesawme，andbegantoquestionmeastowhathadhappened，butIhadtoputhimoffasbestIcouldtillthemorrow，whenheawokealmostmiraculouslybetter。ThenItoldhimsomethingofhisillnessandofmydoings，butasAyeshawaspresentI couldnottellhimmuchexceptthatshewasthequeenofthecountry，andwelldisposedtowardsus，andthatitwasherpleasuretogoveiled;for，thoughofcourseIspokeinEnglish，Iwasafraidthatshemightunderstandwhatweweresayingfromtheexpressionofourfaces，and，besides，Irememberedherwarning。 OnthefollowingdayLeogotupalmostentirelyrecovered。Thefleshwoundinhissidewashealed，andhisconstitution，naturallyavigorousone，hadshakenofftheexhaustionconsequentonhisterriblefeverwitharapiditythatIcanonlyattributetotheeffectsofthewonderfuldrugwhichAyeshahadgiventohim，andalsotothefactthathisillnesshadbeentooshorttoreducehimverymuch。Withhisreturninghealthcamebackfullrecollectionofallhisadventuresuptothetimewhenhehadlostconsciousnessinthemarsh，andofcourseofUstanealso，towhomIhaddiscoveredhehadgrownconsiderablyattached。Indeed，heoverwhelmedmewithquestionsaboutthepoorgirl，whichIdidnotdaretoanswer，forafterLeo’sfirstwakening_i_She_i_hadsentforme，andagainwarnedmesolemnlythatIwastorevealnothingofthestorytohim，delicatelyhintingthatifIdiditwouldbetheworseforme。 _i_She_i_also，forthesecondtime，cautionedmenottotellLeoanythingmorethanIwasobligedaboutherself，sayingthatshewouldrevealherselftohiminherowntime。 Indeed，herwholemannerchanged。AfterallthatIhadseenIhadexpectedthatshewouldtaketheearliestopportunityofclaimingthemanshebelievedtobeherold-worldlover，butthis，forsomereasonofherown，whichwasatthetimequiteinscrutabletome，shedidnotdo。Allthatshedidwastoattendtohiswantsquietly，andwithahumilitywhichwasinstrikingcontrastwithherformerimperiousbearing，addressinghimalwaysinatoneofsomethingverylikerespect，andkeepinghimwithherasmuchaspossible。Ofcoursehiscuriositywasasmuchexcitedaboutthismysteriouswomanasmyownhadbeen，andhewasparticularlyanxioustoseeherface，whichIhad，withoutenteringintoparticulars，toldhimwasaslovelyasherformandvoice。Thisinitselfwasenoughtoraisetheexpectationsofanyyoungmantoadangerouspitch，andhaditnotbeenthathehadnotasyetcompletelyshakenofftheeffectsofillness，andwasmuchtroubledinhismindaboutUstane，ofwhoseaffectionandbravedevotionhespokeintouchingterms，Ihavenodoubtthathewouldhaveenteredintoherplans，andfalleninlovewithherbyanticipation。Asitwas，however，hewassimplywildlycurious，andalso，likemyself，considerablyawed，forthoughnohinthadbeengiventohimbyAyeshaofherextraordinaryage，henotunnaturallycametoidentifyherwiththewomanspokenofonthepotsherd。Atlast，quitedrivenintoacornerbyhiscontinualquestions，whichheshoweredonmewhilehewasdressingonthisthirdmorning，IreferredhimtoAyesha，saying，withperfecttruth，thatIdidnotknowwhereUstanewas。 Accordingly，afterLeohadeatenaheartybreakfast，weadjournedinto_i_She_i_’spresence，forhermuteshadorderstoadmitusatallhours。 _i_She_i_was，asusual，seatedinwhat，forwantofabetterterm，wecalledherboudoir，andonthecurtainsbeingdrawnsherosefromhercouchand，stretchingoutbothhands，cameforwardtogreetus，orratherLeo;forI，asmaybeimagined，wasnowquiteleftinthecold。ItwasaprettysighttoseeherveiledformglidingtowardsthesturdyyoungEnglishman，dressedinhisgray-flannelsuit;forthoughheishalfaGreekinblood，Leois，withtheexceptionofhishair，oneofthemostEnglish-lookingmenIeversaw。HehasnothingofthesuppleformorslipperymannerofthemodernGreekabouthim，thoughIpresumethathegothisremarkablepersonalbeautyfromhisforeignmother，whoseportraitheresemblesnotalittle。Heisverytallandbig-chested，andyetnotawkward，assomanybigmenare，andhisheadissetuponhiminsuchafashionastogivehimaproudandvigorousair，whichwaswelltranslatedinhisAmahaggernameofthe“Lion。” “Greetingtothee，myyoungstrangerlord，“shesaid，inhersoftestvoice。“RightgladamItoseetheeuponthyfeet。Believeme，hadInotsavedtheeatthelast，neverwouldstthouhavestooduponthosefeetagain。Butthedangerisdone，anditshallbemycare“——andsheflungaworldofmeaningintothewords——“thatitdothreturnnomore。” Leobowedtoher，andthen，inhisbestArabic，thankedherforallherkindnessandcourtesyincaringforoneunknowntoher。 “Nay，“sheanswered，softly，“illcouldtheworldsparesuchaman。Beautyistoorareuponit。Givemenothanks，whoammadehappybythycoming。” “Humph！oldfellow，“saidLeoasidetome，inEnglish，“theladyisverycivil。Weseemtohavetumbledintoclover。Ihopethatyouhavemadethemostofyouropportunities。ByJove！whatapairofarmsshehasgot！” Inudgedhimintheribstomakehimkeepquiet，forI caughtsightofagleamfromAyesha’sveiledeyes，whichwereregardingmecuriously。 “Itrust，“wentonAyesha，“thatmyservantshaveattendedwelluponthee;iftherecanbecomfortinthispoorplace，besureitwaitsonthee。IsthereaughtthatIcandofortheemore？” “Yes，O_i_She_i_，“answeredLeo，hastily。“Iwouldfainknowwhithertheyoungladywhowaslookingaftermehasgoneto。” “Ah，“saidAyesha：“thegirl——yes，Isawher。Nay，I knownot;shesaidthatshewouldgo，Iknownotwhither。Perchanceshewillreturn，perchancenot。Itiswearisomewaitingonthesick，andthesesavagewomenarefickle。” Leolookedbothsulkyanddistressedatthisintelligence。 “It’sveryodd，“hesaidtome，inEnglish;andthenaddressing_i_She_i_，“Icannotunderstand，“hesaid;“theyoungladyandI——well，inshort，wehadaregardforeachother。” Ayeshalaughedalittleverymusically，andthenturnedthesubject。 CHAPTERXIX—— “GIVEMEABLACKGOAT！” THE，conversationafterthiswasofsuchadesultoryorderthatIdonotquiterecollectit。Forsomereason，perhapsfromadesiretokeepheridentityandcharacterinreserve，Ayeshadidnottalkfreely，assheusuallydid。Presently，however，sheinformedLeothatshehadarrangedadancethatnightforouramusement。Iwasastonishedtohearthis，as：I fanciedthattheAmahaggerweremuchtoogloomyafolktoindulgeinanysuchfrivolity;but，aswillpresentlymoreclearlyappear，itturnedoutanAmahaggerdancehaslittleincommonwithsuchfantasticfestivitiesinothercountries，savageorcivilized。Then，aswewereabouttowithdraw，shesuggestedthatLeomightliketoseesomeofthewondersofthecaves，and，ashegladlyassented，thitherwedeparted，accompaniedbyJobandBillali。 TodescribeourvisitwouldonlybetorepeatagreatdealofwhatIhavealreadysaid。Thetombsweenteredwereindeed。different，forthewholerockwasahoneycombofsepulchres，butthecontentswerenearlyalwayssimilar。Afterwardswevisitedthepyramidofbonesthathadhauntedmydreamsonthepreviousnight，andfromthencewentdownalongpassagetooneofthegreatvaultsoccupiedbythebodiesofthepoorercitizensofImperialKo^r。Thesebodieswerenotnearlysowellpreservedaswerethoseofthewealthierclasses。Manyofthemhadnolinencoveringonthem，alsotheywereburiedfromfivehundredtoonethousandinasinglelargevault，thecorpsesinsomeinstancesbeingthicklypiledoneuponanother，likeaheapofslain。 Leowasofcourseintenselyinterestedinthisstupendousandunequalledsight，whichwas，indeed，enoughtoawakenalltheimaginationamanhadinhimintothemostactivelife。ButtopoorJobitdidnotproveattractive。Hisnerves——alreadyseriouslyshakenbywhathehadundergonesincewehadarrivedinthisterriblecountry——were，asmaybeimagined，stillfurtherdisturbedbythespectacleofthesemassesofdepartedhumanity，whereoftheformsstillremainedperfectbeforehiseyes，thoughtheirvoiceswereforeverlostintheeternalsilenceofthetomb。NorwashecomfortedwhenoldBillali，bywayofsoothinghisevidentagitation，informedhimthatheshouldnotbefrightenedatthesedeadthings，ashewouldsoonbelikethemhimself。 “There’sanicethingtosayofaman，sir，“heejaculated，whenItranslatedthislittleremark;“butthere，whatcanoneexpectofanoldman-eatingsavage？NotbutwhatIdaresayhe’sright，“andJobsighed。 Whenwehadfinishedinspectingthecaveswereturnedandhadourmeal，foritwasnowpastfourintheafternoon，andweall——speciallyLeo——neededsomefoodandrest。Atsixo’clockwe，togetherwithJob，waitedonAyesha，whosettoworktoterrifyourpoorservantstillfurtherbyshowinghimpicturesonthepoolofwaterinthefontlikevessel。_i_She_i_learnedfrommethathewasoneofseventeenchildren，andthenbidhimthinkofallhisbrothersandsisters，orasmanyofthemashecould，gatheredtogetherinhisfather’scottage。Thenshetoldhimtolookinthewater，andthere，reflectedfromitsstillysurface，wasthatdeadsceneofmanyyearsgoneby，asitwasrecalledtoourretainer’sbrain。Someofthefaceswereclearenough，butsomeweremereblursandsplotches，orwithonefeaturegrosslyexaggerated; thefactbeingthat，intheseinstances，Jobhadbeenunabletorecalltheexactappearancesoftheindividuals，orrememberedthemonlybyapeculiarityofhistribe，andthewatercouldonlyreflectwhathesawwithhismind’seye。Foritmustberememberedthat_i_She_i_’spowerinthismatterwasstrictlylimited;shecould，apparently，exceptinveryrareinstances，onlyphotographuponthewaterwhatwasactuallyinthemindofsomeonepresent，andthenonlybyhiswill。Butifshewaspersonallyacquaintedwithalocalityshecould，asinthecaseofourselvesandthewhale-boat，throwitsreflectionuponthewater，andalsoitseemsthereflectionofanythingextraneousthatwaspassingthereatthetime。Thispower，however，didnotextendtothemindsofothers。 Forinstance，shecouldshowmetheinteriorofmycollegechapel，asIrememberedit，butnotasitwasatthemomentofreflection;for，whereotherpeoplewereconcerned，herartwasstrictlylimitedtothefactsormemoriespresenttotheirconsciousnessatthemoment。Somuchwasthissothat，whenwetried，forheramusement，toshowherpicturesofnotedbuildings，suchasSt。Paul’sortheHousesofParliament，theresultwasmostimperfect;for，ofcourse，thoughwehadagoodgeneralideaoftheirappearance，wecouldnotrecallallthearchitecturaldetails，andthereforetheminutiaenecessarytoaperfectreflectionwerewanting。ButJobcouldnotbegottounderstandthis，andsofarfromacceptinganaturalexplanationofthematter，whichwas，afterall，thoughstrangeenoughinallconscience，nothingmorethananinstanceofglorifiedandperfectedtelepathy，hesetthewholethingdownasamanifestationoftheblackestmagic。Ishallneverforgetthehowlofterrorwhichheutteredwhenhesawthemoreorlessperfectportraitsofhislong- scatteredbrethrenstaringathimfromthequietwater，orthemerrypealoflaughterwithwhichAyeshagreetedhisconsternation。AsforLeo，hedidnotaltogetherlikeiteither，butranhisfingersthroughhisyellowcurls，andremarkedthatitgavehimthecreeps。 Afteraboutanhourofthisamusement，inthelatterpartofwhichJobdidnotparticipate，themutesbysignsindicatedthatBillaliwaswaitingforanaudience。Accordinglyhewastoldto“crawlup，“whichhedidasawkwardlyasusual，andannouncedthatthedancewasreadytobeginifSheandthewhitestrangerswouldbepleasedtoattend。Shortlyafterwardsweallrose，andAyeshahavingthrownadarkcloak(thesame，bytheway，thatshehadwornwhenIsawhercursingbythefire)overherwhitewrappings，westarted。Thedancewastobeheldintheopenair，onthesmoothrockyplateauinfrontofthegreatcave，andthitherwemadeourway。Aboutfifteenpacesfromthemouthofthecavewefoundthreechairsplaced，andherewesatandwaited，forasyetnodancersweretobeseen。Thenightwasalmost，butnotquite，dark，themoonnothavingrisenasyet，whichmadeuswonderhowweshouldbeabletoseethedancing。 “Thouwiltpresentlyunderstand，“saidAyesha，withalittlelaugh，whenLeoaskedher;andwecertainlydid。Scarcelywerethewordsoutofhermouthwhenfromeverypointwesawdarkformsrushingup，eachbearingwithhimwhatweatfirsttooktobeanenormousflamingtorch。Whatevertheyweretheywereburningfuriously，fortheflamesstoodoutayardormorebehindeachbearer。Ontheycame，fiftyormoreofthem，carryingtheirflamingburdensandlookinglikesomanydevilsfromhell。Leowasthefirsttodiscoverwhattheseburdenswere。 “Greatheaven！”hesaid，“theyarecorpsesonfire！” Istaredandstaredagain——hewasperfectlyright——thetorchesthatweretolightourentertainmentwerehumanmummiesfromthecaves！ Onrushedthebearersoftheflamingcorpses，and，meetingataspotabouttwentypacesinfrontofus，builttheirghastlyburdenscrosswaysintoahugebonfire。Heavens！howtheyroaredandflared！Notarbarrelcouldhaveburnedasthosemummiesdid：Norwasthisall。SuddenlyIsawonegreatfellowseizeaflaminghumanarmthathadfallenfromitsparentframe;andrushoffintothedarkness。Presentlyhestopped，andatallstreakoffireshotupintotheair，illuminingthegloom，andalsothelampfromwhichitsprang。Thatlampwasthemummyofawomantiedtoastoutstakeletintotherock，andhehadfiredherhair。Onhewentafewpacesandtouchedasecond，thenathird，andafourth，tillatlastweweresurroundedonallthreesidesbyagreatringofbodiesflaringfuriously，thematerialwithwhichtheywerepreservedhavingrenderedthemsoinflammablethattheflameswouldliterallyspoutoutoftheearsandmouthintonguesoffireafootormoreinlength。 NeroilluminatedhisgardenswithliveChristianssoakedintar，andwewerenowtreatedtoasimilarspectacle，probablyforthefirsttimesincehisday，onlyhappilyourlampswerenotlivingones。 Butalthoughthiselementofhorrorwasfortunatelywanting，todescribetheawfulandhideousgrandeurofthespectaclethuspresentedtousis，Ifeel，soabsolutelybeyondmypoorpowers，thatIscarcelydareattemptit。Tobeginwith，itappealedtothemoralaswellasthephysicalsusceptibilities。Therewassomethingveryterrible，andyetveryfascinating，abouttheemploymentoftheremotedeadtoilluminetheorgiesoftheliving;initselfthethingwasasatire，bothonthelivingandthedead。Caesar’sdust——orisitAlexander’s？maystopabunghole，butthefunctionsofthesedeadCaesarsofthepastwastolightupasavagefetishdance。Tosuchbaseusesmaywecome，ofsolittleaccountmaywebeinthemindsoftheeagermultitudesthatweshallbreed，manyofwhom，sofarfromreveringourmemory，willlivetocurseusforbegettingthemintosuchaworldofwoe。 Thentherewasthephysicalsideofthespectacle，andaweirdandsplendidoneitwas。ThoseoldcitizensofKo^rburnedas，tojudgefromtheirsculpturesandinscriptions，theyhadlived，veryfast，andwiththeutmostliberality。Whatismore，therewereplentyofthem。Assoonaseveramummyhadburneddowntotheankles，whichitdidinabouttwentyminutes，thefeetwerekickedaway，andanotheroneputinitsplace。 Thebonfirewaskeptgoingonthesamegenerousscale，anditsflamesshotup，withahissandacrackle，twentyorthirtyfeetintotheair，throwinggreatflashesoflightfaroutintothegloom，throughwhichthedarkformsoftheAmahaggerflittedtoandfrolikedevilsreplenishingtheinfernalfires。Weallstoodandstaredaghast——shocked，andyetfascinatedatsostrangeaspectacle，andhalfexpectingtoseethespiritsthoseflamingformshadonceenclosedcomecreepingfromtheshadowstoworkvengeanceontheirdesecraters。 “Ipromisedtheeastrangesight，myHolly，“laughedAyesha，whosenervesalonedidnotseemtobeaffected;“and，behold，Ihavenotfailedthee。Also，ithathitslesson。Trustnottothefuture，forwhoknowswhatthefuturemaybring！Therefore，livefortheday，andendeavornottoescapethedustwhichseemstobeman’send。Whatthinkestthouthoselong- forgottennoblesandladieswouldhavefelthadtheyknownthattheyshouldonedayflaretolightthedanceorboilthepotofsavages？Butsee，herecomethedancers;amerrycrew——aretheynot？Thestageislit——nowfortheplay。” Asshespoke，weperceivedtwolinesoffigures，onemaleandtheotherfemale，tothenumberofaboutahundred，eachadvancingroundthehumanbonfire，arrayedonlyintheusualleopardandbuckskins。Theyformedup，inperfectsilence，intwolines，facingeachother，betweenusandthefire，andthenthedance——asortofinfernalandfiendishcancan——began。 Todescribeitisquiteimpossible，but，thoughtherewasagooddealoftossingoflegsanddouble- shuffling，itseemedtoouruntutoredmindstobemoreofaplaythanadance，and，asusualwiththisdreadfulpeople，whosemindsseemtohavetakentheircolorfromthecavesinwhichtheylive，andwhosejokesandamusementsaredrawnfromtheinexhaustiblestoresofpreservedmortalitywithwhichtheysharetheirhomes，thesubjectappearedtobeamostghastlyone。Iknowthatitrepresentedanattemptedmurderfirstofall，andthentheburialaliveofthevictimandhisstrugglingfromthegrave;eachactoftheabominabledrama，whichwascarriedoninperfectsilence，beingroundedoffandfinishedwithafuriousandmostrevoltingdanceroundthesupposedvictim，whowritheduponthegroundintheredlightofthebonfire。 Presently，however，thispleasingpiecewasinterrupted。Suddenlytherewasaslightcommotion，andalarge，powerfulwoman，whomIhadnoticedasoneofthemostvigorousofthedancers，came，mademadanddrunkenwithunholyexcitement，boundingandstaggeringtowardsus，shriekingoutasshecame： “Iwantablackgoat，Imusthaveablackgoat，bringmeablackgoat！”anddownshefellupontherockyfloorfoamingandwrithingandshriekingforablackgoat，aboutashideousaspectacleascanwellbeconceived。 Instantlymostofthedancerscameupandgotroundher，thoughsomestillcontinuedtheircapersinthebackground。 “ShehasgotaDevil，“calledoutoneofthem。“Runandgetablackgoat。There，Devil，keepquiet！keepquiet！Youshallhavethegoatpresently。Theyhavegonetofetchit，Devil。” “Iwantablackgoat，Imusthaveablackgoat！” shriekedthefoaming，rollingcreatureagain。 “Allright，Devil，thegoatwillbeherepresently; keepquiet，there’sagoodDevil！” Andsoontillthegoat，takenfromaneighboringkraal，didatlastarrive，beingdraggedbleatingontothescenebyitshorns。 “Isitablackone，isitablackone？”shriekedthepossessed。 “Yes，yes，Devil，asblackasnight;“thenaside，“keepitbehindthee，don’tlettheDevilseethatithasgotawhitespotonitsrumpandanotheronitsbelly。Inoneminute，Devil。There，cuthisthroatquick。Whereisthesaucer？” “Thegoat！thegoat！thegoat！Givemethebloodofmyblackgoat！Imusthaveit，don’tyouseeImusthaveit？Oh！oh！oh！givemethebloodofthegoat。” Atthismomentaterrified_i_bah！_i_announcedthatthepoorgoathadbeensacrificed，andthenextminuteawomanranupwithasaucerfulloftheblood。Thisthepossessedcreature，whowasthenravingandfoamingherwildest，seizedanddrank，andwasinstantlyrecovered，andwithoutatraceofhysteria，orfits，orbeingpossessed，orwhateverdreadfulthingitwasshewassufferingfrom。Shestretchedherarms，smiledfaintly，andwalkedquietlybacktothedancers，whopresentlywithdrewinadoublelineastheyhadcome，leavingthespacebetweenusandthebonfiredeserted。 Ithoughtthattheentertainmentwasnowover，and，feelingratherqueer，wasabouttoask_i_She_i_ifwecouldrise，whensuddenlywhatatfirstItooktobeababooncamehoppingroundthefire，andwasinstantlymetupontheothersidebyalion，orratherahumanbeingdressedinalion’sskin。Thencameagoat，thenamanwrappedinanox’shide，withthehornswobblingaboutinaludicrousway。Afterhimfollowedablesbok，thenanimpala，thenakoodoo，thenmoregoats，andmanyotheranimals，includingagirlsewnupintheshiningscalyhideofaboaconstrictor，severalyardsofwhichtrailedalongthegroundbehindher。Whenallthebeastshadcollectedtheybegantodanceaboutinalumbering，unnaturalfashion，andtoimitatethesoundsproducedbytherespectiveanimalstheyrepresented，tillthewholeairwasalivewithroarsandbleatingandthehissingofsnakes。Thiswentonforalongtime，till，gettingtiredofthepantomime，IaskedAyeshaiftherewouldbeanyobjectiontoLeoandmyselfwalkingroundtoinspectthehumantorches，andasshehadnothingtosayagainstit，westarted，strikingroundtotheleft。Afterlookingatoneortwooftheflamingbodies，wewereabouttoreturn，thoroughlydisgustedwiththegrotesqueweirdnessofthespectacle，whenourattentionwasattractedbyoneofthedancers，aparticularlyactiveleopard，thathadseparateditselffromitsfellow-beasts，andwaswhiskingaboutinourimmediateneighborhood，butgraduallydrawingintoaspotwheretheshadowwasdarkest，equidistantbetweentwooftheflamingmummies。Drawnbycuriosity，wefollowedit，whensuddenlyitdartedpastusintotheshadowsbeyond，andasitdidsoerecteditselfandwhispered，“Come，“inavoicethatwebothrecognizedasthatofUstane。WithoutwaitingtoconsultmeLeoturnedandfollowedherintotheouterdarkness，andI，feelingsickenoughatheart，wentafterthem。Theleopardcrawledonforaboutfiftypaces——asufficientdistancetobequitebeyondthelightofthefireandtorches——andthenLeocameupwithit，or，rather，withUstane。 “Omylord，“Iheardherwhisper，“soIhavefoundthee！Listen，Iaminperilofmylifefrom_i_She_i_-who-must-be-obeyed。’SurelytheBaboonhastoldtheehowshedrovemefromthee？Ilovethee，mylord，andthouartmineaccordingtothecustomofthecountry。Isavedthylife！MyLion，wiltthoucastmeoffnow？” “Ofcoursenot，“ejaculatedLeo;“Ihavebeenwonderingwhitherthouhadstgone。Letusgoandexplainmatterstothequeen。” “Nay，nay;shewouldslayus。Thouknowestnotherpower——theBaboonthere，heknoweth，forhesaw。Nay; thereisbutoneway：ifthouwiltcleavetome，thoumustfleewithmeacrossthemarshesevennow，andthenperchancewemayescape。” “ForHeaven’ssake，Leo，“Ibegan，butshebrokein—— “Nay，listennottohim。Swift——beswift——deathisintheairwebreathe。Evennow，mayhap，_i_She_i_ hearethus，“andwithoutmoreadosheproceededtobackherargumentsbythrowingherselfintohisarms。 Asshedidsotheleopard’sheadslippedfromherhair，andIsawthethreewhitefinger-marksuponitgleamingfaintlyinthestarlight。Oncemorerealizingthedesperatenatureoftheposition，Iwasabouttointerpose，forIknewthatLeowasnottoostrong- mindedwherewomenwereconcerned，when——oh！horror！—— Iheardalittlesilverylaughbehindme。Iturnedround，andtherewas_i_She_i_herself，andwithherBillaliandtwomalemutes。Igaspedandnearlysanktotheground，forIknewthatsuchasituationmustresultinsomedreadfultragedy，ofwhichitseemedexceedinglyprobabletomethatIshouldbethefirstvictim。 AsforUstane，sheuntwinedherarmsandcoveredhereyeswithherhands，whileLeo，notknowingthefullterroroftheposition，merelycoloredup，andlookedasfoolishasamancaughtinsuchatrapwouldnaturallydo。 CHAPTERXX—— TRIUMPH THENfollowedamomentofthemostpainfulsilencethatIeverendured。ItwasbrokenbyAyesha，whoaddressedherselftoLeo。 “Nay，nowmylordandguest，“shesaid，inhersoftesttones，whichyethadtheringofsteelaboutthem，“looknotsobashful。Surelythesightwasaprettyone——theleopardandthelion！” “Oh，hangitall！”saidLeo，inEnglish。 “Andthou，Ustane，“shewenton，“surelyIshouldhavepassedtheebyhadnotthelightfallenonthewhiteacrossthyhair，“andshepointedtothebrightedgeoftherisingmoonwhichwasnowappearingabovethehorizon。“Well！well！thedanceisdone——see，thetapershaveburneddown，andallthingsendinsilenceandinashes。Sothouthoughtestitafittimeforlove，Ustane，myservant——andI，dreamingnotthatI couldbedisobeyed，thoughttheealreadyfaraway。” “Playnotwithme，“moanedthewretchedwoman;“slayme，andletbeanend。” “Nay，why？Itisnotwelltogososwiftfromthehotlipsoflovedowntothecoldmouthofthegrave，“andshemadeamotiontothemutes，whoinstantlysteppedupandcaughtthegirlbyeitherarm。WithanoathLeospranguponthenearest，andhurledhimtotheground，andthenstoodoverhimwithhisfaceset，andhisfistready。 AgainAyeshalaughed。“Itwaswellthrown，myguest; thouhastastrongarmforonewhosolatewassick。 ButnowoutofthycourtesyIpraytheeletthatmanliveanddomybidding。Heshallnotharmthegirl; thenightairgrowschill，andIwouldwelcomeherinmineownplace。Surelyshewhomthoudostfavorshallbefavoredofmealso。” ItookLeobythearm，andpulledhimfromtheprostratemute，andhe，halfbewildered，obeyedthepressure。Thenweallsetoutforthecaveacrosstheplateau，whereapileofwhitehumanasheswasallthatremainedofthefirethathadlitthedancing，forthedancershadvanished。 InduecoursewegainedAyesha’sboudoir——alltoosoonitseemedtome，havingasadpresageofwhatwastocomelyingheavyonmyheart。 Ayeshaseatedherselfuponhercushions，and，havingdismissedJobandBillali，bysignsbadethemutestendthelampsandretire。allsaveonegirl，whowasherfavoritepersonalattendant。Wethreeremainedstanding，theunfortunateUstanealittletotheleftoftherestofus。 “Now，OHolly，“Ayeshabegan，“howcameitthatthou，whodidsthearmywordsbiddingthisevil-doer“——andshepointedtoUstane——“togofromhence-thouatwhoseprayerIdidweaklyspareherlife-howcameit，Isay，thatthouwastasharerinwhatIsawto-night？ Answer，andforthineownsake，Isay，speakallthetruth，forIamnotmindedtohearliesuponthismatter！” “Itwasbyaccident，Oqueen，“Ianswered。“Iknewnaughtofit。” “Idobelievethee，OHolly，“sheanswered，coolly，“andwellitisfortheethatIdo——thendoesthewholeguiltrestuponher。” “Idonotfindanyguilttherein，“brokeinLeo。“Sheisnotanotherman’swife，anditappearsthatshehasmarriedmeaccordingtothecustomofthisawfulplace，sowhoistheworse？Anyway，madam，“hewenton，“whatevershehasdoneIhavedonetoo，soifsheistobepunishedletmebepunishedalso;andItellthee，“hewenton，workinghimselfupintoafury，“thatifthoubiddestoneofthosedeaf-and-dumbvillainstotouchheragain，Iwilltearhimtopieces！”Andhelookedasthoughhemeantit。 Ayeshalistenedinicysilence，andmadenoremark。 Whenhehadfinished，however，sheaddressedUstane。 “Hastthouaughttosay，woman？Thousillystraw，thoufeather，whodidstthinktofloattowardsthypassion’spettyends，evenagainstthegreatwindofmywill！Tellme，forIfainwouldunderstand。Whydidstthouthisthing？” AndthenIthinkIsawthemosttremendousexhibitionofmoralcourageandintrepiditythatitispossibletoconceive。Forthepoor，doomedgirl，knowingwhatshehadtoexpectatthehandsofherterriblequeen，knowing，too，frombitterexperiencehowgreatwasheradversary’spower，yetgatheredherselftogether，andoutoftheverydepthsofherdespairdrewmaterialstodefyher。 “Ididit，O_i_She_i_，“sheanswered，drawingherselfuptothefullofherstatelyheight，andthrowingbacktheleopardskinfromherhead，“becausemyloveisstrongerthanthegrave。Ididitbecausemylifewithoutthismanwhommyheartchosewouldbebutalivingdeath。ThereforedidIriskmylife，andnowthatIknowthatitisforfeittothineanger，yetamIgladthatIdidriskit，andpayitawayintherisking，ay，becauseheembracedmeonce，andtoldmethathelovedmeyet。” HereAyeshahalfrosefromhercouch，andthensankdownagain。 “Ihavenomagic，“wentonUstane，herrichvoiceringingstrongandfull，“andIamnotaqueen，nordoIliveforever，butawoman’sheartisheavytosinkthroughwaters，howeverdeep，Oqueen！andawoman’seyesarequicktosee，eventhroughthyveil，Oqueen！ “Listen：Iknowit;thoudostlovethismanthyself，andthereforewouldstthoudestroymewhostandacrossthypath。Ay，Idie——Idie，andgointothedarkness，norknowIwhitherIgo。ButthisIknow。Thereisalightshininginmybreast，andbythatlight，asbyalamp，Iseethetruth，andthefuturethatIshallnotshareunrollitselfbeforemelikeascroll。WhenfirstIknewmylord，“andshepointedtoLeo，“Iknewalsothatdeathwouldbethebridalgifthegaveme—— itrusheduponmeofasudden，butIturnednotback，beingreadytopaytheprice，and，behold，deathishere！Andnow，evenasIknewthat，sodoI，standingonthestepsofdoom，knowthatthoushaltnotreaptheprofitsofthycrime。Mineheis，and，thoughthybeautyshinelikeasunamongthestars，mineshallheremainforthee。Neverhereinthislifeshallhelooktheeintheeyesandcalltheespouse。Thoutooartdoomed，Isee——“andhervoiceranglikethecryofaninspiredprophetess;“ah，Isee——“ Thencameanansweringcryofmingledrageandterror。 Iturnedmyhead。Ayeshahadrisen，andwasstandingwithheroutstretchedhandpointingatUstane，whohadsuddenlystoppedspeaking。Igazedatthepoorwoman，andasIgazedtherecameuponherfacethatsamewoeful，fixedexpressionofterrorthatIhadseenoncebeforewhenshehadbrokenoutintoherwildchant。Hereyesgrewlarge，hernostrilsdilated，andherlipsblanched。 Ayeshasaidnothing，shemadenosoundsheonlydrewherselfup，stretchedoutherarm，and，hertall，veiledframequiveringlikeanaspenleaf，appearedtolookfixedlyathervictim。EvenasshedidsoUstaneputherhandstoherhead，utteredonepiercingscream，turnedroundtwice，andthenfellbackwardwithathud——proneuponthefloor。BothLeoandmyselfrushedtoher——shewasstonedead——blastedintodeathbysomemysteriouselectricagencyoroverwhelmingwill-forcewhereofthedread_i_She_i_hadcommand。 ForamomentLeodidnotquiterealizewhathadhappened。Butwhenhedidhisfacewasawfultosee。 Withasavageoathherosefrombesidethecorpseand，turning，literallysprangatAyesha。Butshewaswatching，and，seeinghimcome，stretchedoutherhandagain，andhewentstaggeringbacktowardsme，andwouldhavefallen，hadInotcaughthim。Afterwardshetoldmethathefeltasthoughhehadsuddenlyreceivedaviolentblowinthechest，and，whatismore，utterlycowed，asifallthemanhoodhadbeentakenoutofhim。 ThenAyeshaspoke。“Forgiveme，myguest，“shesaid，softly，addressinghim，“ifIhaveshockedtheewithmyjustice。” “Forgivethee，thoufiend！”roaredpoorLeo，wringinghishandsinhisrageandgrief。“Forgivethee，thoumurderess！ByHeavenIwillkilltheeifIcan！’ “Nay，nay，“sheanswered，inthesamesoftvoice，“thoudostnotunderstand——thetimehascomefortheetolearn。Thouartmylove，myKallikrates，myBeautiful，myStrong！Fortwothousandyears，Kallikrates，haveIwaitedforthee，andnowatlengththouhastcomebacktome;andasforthiswoman，“ pointingtothecorpse，“shestoodbetweenmeandthee，andthereforehaveIremovedher，Kallikrates。” “Itisanaccursedlie！”saidLeo。“MynameisnotKallikrates！IamLeoVincey;myancestorwasKallikrates——atleast，Ibelievehewas。” “Ah，thousayestit——thineancestorwasKallikrates，andthou，eventhou，artKallikratesreborn，comeback——andmineowndearlord！” “IamnotKallikrates，andasforbeingthylord，orhavingaughttodowiththee，Ihadsoonerbethelordofafiendfromhell，forshewouldbebetterthanthou。” “Sayestthouso——sayestthouso，Kallikrates？Nay，butthouhastnotseenmeforsolongatimethatnomemoryremains。YetIamveryfair，Kallikrates！” “Ihatethee，murderess，andIhavenowishtoseethee。Whatisittomehowfairthouart？Ihatethee，Isay。” “Yetwithinaverylittlespaceshaltthoucreeptomyknee，andswearthatthoudostloveme，“answeredAyesha，withasweet，mockinglaugh。“Come，thereisnotimelikethepresenttime;here，beforethisdeadgirlwholovedthee，letusputittotheproof。 “Looknowonme，Kallikrates！”andwithasuddenmotionsheshookhergauzycoveringfromher，andstoodforthinherlowkirtleandhersnakyzone，inherglorious，radiantbeautyandherimperialgrace，risingfromherwrappings，asitwere，likeVenusfromthewave，orGalateafromhermarble，orabeatifiedspiritfromthetomb，_i_She_i_stoodforth，andfixedherdeepandglowingeyesuponLeo’seyes，andI sawhisclenchedfistsunclasp，andhissetandquiveringfeaturesrelaxbeneathhergaze。Isawhiswonderandastonishmentgrowintoadmiration，andthenintofascination，andthemorehestruggledthemoreI sawthepowerofherdreadbeautyfastenonhimandtakepossessionofhissenses，druggingthem，anddrawingthehearoutofhim。DidInotknowtheprocess？HadnotI，whowastwicehisage，gonethroughitmyself？WasInotgoingthroughitafresheventhen，althoughhersweetandpassionategazewasnotforme？Yes，alas，Iwas！Alas，thatIshouldhavetoconfessthatatthatverymomentIwasrentbymadandfuriousjealousy。Icouldhaveflownathim，shameuponme！Thewomanhadconfoundedandalmostdestroyedmymoralsense，asshewasboundtoconfoundallwholookeduponhersuperhumanloveliness。But——IdonotquiteknowhowIgotthebetterofmyself，andoncemoreturnedtoseetheclimaxofthetragedy。 “Oh，greatHeaven！”gaspedLeo，“artthouawoman？” “Awomanintruth——inverytruth-andthineownspouse，Kallikrates！”sheanswered，stretchingoutherroundedivoryarmstowardshim，andsmiling，ah，sosweetly！ Helookedandlooked，andslowlyIperceivedthathewasdrawingnearertoher。SuddenlyhiseyefelluponthecorpseofpoorUstane，andheshudderedandstopped。 “HowcanI？”hesaid，hoarsely。“Thouartamurderess; shelovedme。” Observe，hewasalreadyforgettingthathehadlovedher。 “Itisnaught，“shemurmured，andhervoicesoundedsweetasthenightwindpassingthroughthetrees。“Itisnaughtatall。IfIhavesinned，letmybeautyanswerformysin。IfIhavesinned，itisforloveofthee;letmysin，therefore，beputawayandforgotten;“andoncemoreshestretchedoutherarmsandwhispered“Come，“andtheninanotherfewsecondsitwasover。Isawhimstruggle——Isawhimeventurntofly;buthereyesdrewhimmorestronglythanironbonds，andthemagicofherbeautyandconcentratedwillandpassionenteredintohimandoverpoweredhim—— ay，eventhere，inthepresenceofthebodyofthewomanwhohadlovedhimwellenoughtodieforhim。Itsoundshorribleandwickedenough，buthecannotbeblamedtoomuch，andbesurehissinwillfindhimout。Thetemptresswhodrewhimintoevilwasmorethanhuman，andherbeautywasgreaterthanthelovelinessofthedaughtersofmen。 Ilookedupagain，andnowherperfectformlayinhisarms，andherlipswerepressedagainsthisown;andthus，withthecorpseofhisdeadloveforanaltar，didLeoVinceyplighthistrothtoherred-handedmurderess——plightitforeverandaday。Forthosewhosellthemselvesintoalikedominion，payingdownthepriceoftheirownhonor，andthrowingtheirsoulintothebalancetosinkthescaletotheleveloftheirlusts，canhopefornodeliverancehereorhereafter。 Astheyhavesown，soshalltheyreapandreap，evenwhenthepoppyflowersofpassionhavewitheredintheirhands，andtheirharvestisbutbittertares，garneredinsatiety。 Suddenly，withasnakelikemotion，sheseemedtoslipfromhisembrace，andthenagainbrokeoutintoherlowlaughoftriumphantmockery。 “DidInottelltheethatwithinalittlespacethouwouldstcreeptomyknee，ohKallikrates？Andsurelythespacehasnotbeenagreatone！” Leogroanedinshameandmisery，forthoughhewasovercomeandstrickendownhewasnotsolostastobeunawareofthedepthofthedegradationtowhichhehadsunk。Onthecontrary，hisbetternatureroseupinarmsagainsthisfallenself，asIsawclearlyenoughlateron。 Ayeshalaughedagain，andthenquicklyveiledherself，andmadeasigntothegirlmute，whohadbeenwatchingthewholescenewithcurious，startledeyes。 Thegirlleft，andpresentlyreturned，followedbytwomalemutes，towhomthequeenmadeanothersign。 ThereontheyallthreeseizedthebodyofpoorUstanebythearms，anddraggeditheavilydownthecavernandawaythroughthecurtainsattheend。Leowatcheditforalittlewhile，andthencoveredhiseyeswithhishand，andittoo，tomyexcitedfancy，seemedtowatchusasitwent。 “Therepassesthedeadpast，“saidAyesha，solemnly，asthecurtainsshookandfellbackintotheirplaces，whentheghastlyprocessionhadvanishedbehindthem。 Andthen，withoneofthoseextraordinarytransitionsofwhichIhavealreadyspoken，sheagainthrewoffherveil，andbrokeout，aftertheancientandpoeticfashionofthedwellersinArabia，intoapaeanoftriumph，orepithalamium，which，wildandbeautifulasitwas，isexceedinglydifficulttorenderintoEnglish，andoughtbyrightstobesungtothemusicofacantata，ratherthanwrittenandread。Itwasdividedintotwoparts-onedescriptiveordefinitive，andtheotherpersonal;and，asnearlyasIcanremember，ranasfollows： “Loveislikeaflowerinthedesert。 ItislikethealoeofArabiathatbloomsbutonceanddies;itbloomsinthesaltemptinessofLife，andthebrightnessofitsbeautyissetuponthewasteasastarissetuponastorm。 Ithaththesunabovethatisthespirit，andaboveitblowstheairofitsdivinity。 Attheechoingofastep，Loveblooms，Isay;IsayLoveblooms，andbendsherbeautydowntohimwhopassethby。 Hepluckethit，yea，hepluckeththeredcupthatislullofhoney，andbearethitaway;awayacrossthedesert，awaytilltheflowerbewithered，awaytillthedesertbedone。 ThereisonlyoneperfectflowerinthewildernessofLife。 ThatflowerisLove！ Thereisonlyonefixedstarinthemistsofourwandering。 ThatstarisLove！ Thereisonlyonehopeinourdespairingnight。 ThathopeisLove！ Allelseisfalse。Allelseisshadowmovinguponwater。Allelseiswindandvanity。 WhoshallsaywhatistheweightorthemeasureofLove？ Itisbornoftheflesh，itdwellethinthespirit。 Fromeachdothitdrawitscomfort。 Forbeautyitisasastar。 Manyareitsshapes，butallarebeautiful，andnoneknowwherethestarrose，orthehorizonwhereitshallset。” Then，turningtoLeo，andlayingherhanduponhisshoulder，shewentoninafullerandmoretriumphanttone，speakinginbalancedsentencesthatgraduallygrewandswelledfromidealizedproseintopureandmajesticverse： “LonghaveIlovedthee，Omylove;yethasmylovenotlessened。 LonghaveIwaitedforthee，andbeholdmyrewardisathand——ishere！ FarawayIsawtheeonce，andthouwasttakenfromme。 TheninagravesowedItheseedofpatience，andshoneuponitwiththesunofhope，andwatereditwithtearsofrepentance，andbreathedonitwiththebreathofmyknowledge。Andnowlo！ithathsprungup，andbornefruit。Lo！outofthegravehathitsprung。 Yea，fromamongthedrybonesandashesofthedead。 Ihavewaitedandmyrewardiswithme。 IhaveovercomeDeath，andDeathbroughtbacktomehimthatwasdead。 ThereforedoIrejoice，forfairisthefuture。 Greenarethepathsthatweshalltreadacrosstheeverlastingmeadows。 Thehourisathand。Nighthathfledawayintothevalleys。 Thedawnkisseththemountain-tops。 Softshallwelie，mylove，andeasyshallwego。 CrownedshallwebewiththediademofKings。