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，andAyeshahavingthrownadarkcloakthesame，bytheway，thatshehadwornwhenIsawhercursingbythefireoverherwhitewrappings，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。