“Nay，“shewenton，lettingtheknifefall；“afteranotherfashionshaltthoudie——moreslowly，Rei，yes，moreslowly。Thouknowestthetormentofthepalm-tree？Bythatthoushaltdie！“Shepaused，andstoodabovehimwithquiveringlimbs，andbreastthatheaved，andeyesthatflashedlikestars。
“Stay！stay！“hecried。“ItisnotIwhohaveslainthisWanderer，ifheindeedisdead，buthisownfolly。ForheisgoneuptolookupontheStrangeHathor，andthosewholookupontheHathordobattlewiththeUnseenSwords，andthosewhodobattlewiththeUnseenSwordsmustlieinthebathsofbronzeandseektheUnderWorld。“
ThefaceofMeriamungrewwhiteatthisword，asthealabasterofthewalls，andshecriedaloudwithagreatcry。Thenshesankuponthecouch，pressingherhandtoherbrowandmoaning:
“HowmayIsavehim？HowmayIsavehimfromthataccursedwitch？
Alas！Itistoolate——butatleastIwillknowhisend，ay，andhearofthebeautyofherwhoslayshim。Rei，“shewhispered，notinthespeechofKhem，butinthedeadtongueofadeadpeople，“benotwrathwithme。Oh，havepityonmyweakness。ThouknowestofthePutting-