CHAPTERVI
MISSHEDA
Itmightbethoughtthatafterallthistherewouldhavebeenapainfulexplanationonthefollowingmorning，butnothingofthesorthappened。Afterallthegreatestartistheartofignoringthings，withoutwhichtheworldcouldscarcelygoon，evenamongthesavageraces。Thusonthisoccasionthetwochiefactorsinthesceneofthepreviousnightpretendedthattheyhadforgottenwhattookplace，asIbelieve，toalargeextenttruly。Thefierceflameofdrinkintheoneandofpassionintheotherhadburntthewebofremembrancetoashes。Theyknewthatsomethingunpleasanthadoccurredanditsmainoutlines；theresthadvanishedaway；perhapsbecausetheyknewalsothattheywerenotresponsibleforwhattheysaidanddid，andthereforethatwhatoccurredhadnorighttoapermanentnicheintheirmemories。Itwas，asitwere，somethingoutsideoftheirnormalselves。AtleastsoIconjectured，andtheirconductseemedtogivecolourtomyguess。
Thedoctorspoketomeofthematterfirst。
“Ifeartherewasarowlastnight。”hesaid；“ithashappenedherebeforeovercards，andwillnodoubthappenagainuntilmattersclearthemselvesupsomehow。Marnham，asyousee，drinks，andwhendrunkisthebiggestliarintheworld，andI，I
amsorrytosay，amcursedwithaviolenttemper。Don’tjudgeeitherofustooharshly。Ifyouwereadoctoryouwouldknowthatallthesethingscometouswithourblood，andwedidn’tfashionourownclay，didwe？Havesomecoffee，won’tyou？“
SubsequentlywhenRoddwasn’tthere，Marnhamspokealsoandwiththatfineairofcourtesywhichwaspeculiartohim。
“Ioweadeepapology。”hesaid，“toyourselfandMr。Anscombe。
Idonotrecallmuchaboutit，butIknowtherewasascenelastnightoverthosecursedcards。Aweaknessovertakesmesometimes。Iwillsaynomore，exceptthatyou，whoarealsoamanwhoperhapshavefeltweaknessesofonesortoranother，will，Ihope，makeallowancesformeandpaynoattentiontoanythingthatImayhavesaidordoneinthepresenceofguests；
yes，thatiswhatpainsme——inthepresenceofguests。”
SomethinginhisdistinguishedmannercausedmetoreflectuponeverypeccadillothatIhadevercommitted，settingitinitsveryworstlight。
“Quiteso。”Ianswered，“quiteso。Praydonotmentionthematteranymore，although——“Thesewordsseemedtojerkthemselvesoutofmythroat，“youdidcalleachotherbysuchveryhardnames。”
“Idaresay。”heansweredwithavacantsmile，“butifsotheymeantnothing。”
“No，Iunderstand，justlikealovers’quarrel。Butlookhere，youleftsomediamondsonthetablewhichItooktokeeptheKaffirsoutoftemptation。Iwillfetchthem。”
“DidI？Well，probablyIleftsomeI。O。U。’salsowhichmightserveforpipelights。Sosupposewesettheoneagainsttheother。Idon’tknowthevalueofeitherthediamondsorthepipelights，itmaybelessormore，butforGod’ssakedon’tletmeseethebeastlythingsagain。There’snoneed，Ihaveplenty。”
“ImustspeaktoAnscombe。”Ianswered。“Themoneyatstakewashis，notmine。”
“Speaktowhomyouwill。”hereplied，andInotedthatthethrobbingveinuponhisforeheadindicatedarisingtemper。“Butneverletmeseethosediamondsagain。Throwthemintothegutterifyouwish，butneverletmeseethemagain，ortherewillbetrouble。”
Thenheflungoutoftheroom，leavinghisbreakfastalmostuntasted。
Reflectingthatthisqueeroldbirdprobablydidnotwishtobecross-questionedastohispossessionofsomanyuncutdiamonds，orthattheywereworthmuchlessthanthesumhehadlost，orpossiblythattheywerenotdiamondsatallbutglass，IwenttoreportthemattertoAnscombe。HeonlylaughedandsaidthatasIhadgotthethingsIhadbetterkeepthemuntilsomethinghappened，forwehadbothgotitintoourheadsthatsomethingwouldhappenbeforewehaddonewiththatestablishment。
SoIwenttoputthestonesawayassafelyasIcould。WhileI
wasdoingsoIheardtherumbleofwheels，andcameoutjustintimetoseeaCapecart，drawnbyfourverygoodhorsesanddrivenbyaHottentotinasmarthatandaredwaistband，pullupatthegardengate。Outofthiscartpresentlyemergedaneatlydressedlady，ofwhomallIcouldseewasthatshewasyoung，slenderandrathertall；also，asherbackwastowardsme，thatshehadagreatdealofauburnhair。
“There！“saidAnscombe。“Iknewthatsomethingwouldhappen。
Hedahashappened。Quatermain，asneitherherveneratedparentnorherlovingfiance，forsuchIgatherheis，seemstobeabout，youhadbettergoandgiveherahand。”
Iobeyedwithagroan，heartilywishingthatHedahadn’thappened，sincesomesensewarnedmethatshewouldonlyaddtothepresentcomplications。Atthegate，havinggivensomeinstructionstoaverystoutyoungcolouredwomanwho，Itookit，washermaid，aboutabasketofflowerrootsinthecart，sheturnedroundsuddenlyandwecamefacetofacewiththegatebetweenus。Foramomentwestaredateachother，Ireflectingthatshereallywasveryprettywithherdelicately-shapedfeatures，herfresh，healthy-lookingcomplexion，herlongdarkeyelashesandherlitheandcharmingfigure。WhatshereflectedaboutmeIdon’tknow，probablynothinghalfsocomplimentary。
Suddenly，however，herlargegreyisheyesgrewtroubledandalookofalarmappeareduponherface。
“Isanythingwrongwithmyfather？“sheasked。“Idon’tseehim。”
“IfyoumeanMr。Marnham。”Ireplied，liftingmyhat，“IbelievethatDr。Roddandhe——“
“NevermindaboutDr。Rodd。”shebrokeinwithacontemptuouslittlejerkofherchin。”howismyfather？“
“Iimaginemuchasusual。HeandDr。Roddwereherealittlewhileago，Isupposethattheyhavegoneout“asamatteroffacttheyhad，butindifferentdirections。
“Thenthat’sallright。”shesaidwithasighofrelief。“Yousee，Iheardthathewasveryill，whichiswhyIhavecomeback。”
So，thoughtItomyself，shelovesthatoldscampandshe——doesn’tlovethedoctor。Therewillbemoretroubleassureasfiveandtwoareseven。Allwewantedwasawomantomakethepotboilover。
ThenIopenedthegateandtookatravellingbagfromherhandwithmypolitestbow。
“MynameisQuatermainandthatofmyfriendAnscombe。Wearestayinghere，youknow。”Isaidratherawkwardly。
“Indeed。”sheansweredwithadelightfulsmile，“whataverystrangeplacetochoosetostayin。”
“Itisabeautifulhouse。”Iremarked。
“Notbad，althoughIdesignedit，moreorless。ButIwasalludingtoitsinhabitants。”
Thisfinishedme，andIamsureshefeltthatIcouldthinkofnothingnicetosayaboutthoseinhabitants，forIheardhersigh。Wewalkedsidebysideuptherose-fringedpathandpresentlyarrivedatthestoep，whereAnscombe，whosehairIhadcutverynicelyonthepreviousday，waswatchingusfromhislongchair。Theylookedateachother，andIsawbothofthemcolouralittle，outofmerefoolishness，Isuppose。
“Anscombe。”Isaid，“thisis——“andIpaused，notbeingquitecertainwhethershealsowascalledMarnham。“HedaMarnham。”sheinterrupted。
“Yes——MissHedaMarnham，andthisistheHonourableMauriceAnscombe。”
“Forgivemefornotrising，MissMarnham。”saidAnscombeinhispleasantvoicebythewayherswaspleasanttoo，fullandratherlow，withjustasuggestionofsomethingforeignaboutit。“A
shotthroughthefootpreventsmeatpresent。”
“Whoshotyou？“sheaskedquickly。
“Oh！onlyaKaffir。”
“Iamsosorry，Ihopeyouwillgetwellsoon。Forgivemenow，I
mustgotolookformyfather。”
“Sheisuncommonlypretty。”remarkedAnscombe，“andaladyintothebargain。InreflectingonoldMarnham’ssinswemustputittohiscreditthathehasproducedacharmingdaughter。”
“Tooprettyandcharmingbyhalf。”Igrunted。
“PerhapsDr。Roddisofthesamewayofthinking。GreatshamethatsuchagirlshouldbehandedovertoamedicalscoundrellikeDr。Rodd。Iwonderifshecaresforhim？“
“Justaboutasmuchasacanarycaresforatom-cat。Ihavefoundthatoutalready。”
“Really，Quatermain，youareadmirable。Ineverknewanyonewhocouldmakeabetteruseofthebriefestopportunity。”
Thenweweresilent，waiting，notwithoutacertainimpatience，forthereturnofMissHeda。Shedidreturnwithsurprisingquicknessconsideringthatshehadfoundtimetosearchforherparent，tochangeintoacleanwhitedress，andtopinasinglehibiscusflowerontoherbodicewhichgavejustthetouchofcolourthatwasnecessarytocompletehercostume。
“Ican’tfindmyfather。”shesaid，“buttheboyssayhehasgoneoutriding。Ican’tfindanybody。Whenyouhavebeensummonedfromalongwayoffandtravelledpost-haste，rathertoyourowninconvenience，itisamusing，isn’tit？“
“WagonsandcartsinSouthAfricadon’tarrivelikeexpresstrains，MissMarnham。”saidAnscombe，“soyoushouldn’tbeoffended。”
“Iamnotatalloffended，Mr。Anscombe。NowthatIknowthereisnothingthematterwithmyfatherI’m——But，tellme，howdidyougetyourwound？“
Sohetoldherwithmuchamusingdetailafterhisfashion。Shelistenedquietlywithapuckeredupbrowandonlymadeonecomment。Itwas，——
“IwonderwhatwhitemantoldthoseSekukuniKaffirsthatyouwerecoming。”
“Idon’tknow。”heanswered，“buthedeservesabulletthroughhimsomewhereabovetheankle。”
“Yes，thoughfewpeoplegetwhattheydeserveinthiswickedworld。”
“SoIhaveoftenthought。Haditbeenotherwise，forexample，I
shouldhavebeen——“
“Whatwouldyouhavebeen？“sheasked，consideringhimcuriously。
“Oh！abettershotthanMr。AllanQuatermain，andasbeautifulasaladyIoncesawinmyyouth。”
“Don’ttalkrubbishbeforeluncheon。”Iremarkedsternly，andwealllaughed，thefirstwholesomelaughterthatIhadheardattheTemple。Forthisyoungladyseemedtobringhappinessandmerrimentwithher。Irememberwonderingwhatitwasofwhichhercomingremindedme，andconcludingthatitwaslikethesightandsmellofapeachorchardinfullbloomstumbledonsuddenlyintheblackdesertoftheburntwinterveld。
Afterthiswebecamequitefriendly。ShedilatedonherskillinhavingproducedtheTemplefromanoldengraving，whichshefetchedandshowedtous，atnogreateranexpensethanitwouldhavecosttobuildanordinaryhouse。
“Thatisbecausethemarblewasathand。”saidAnscombe。
“Quiteso。”shereplieddemurely。“Speakinginageneralsenseonecandomanythingsinlife——ifthemarbleisathand。Onlymostofuswhenwelookformarblefindsandstoneormud。”
“Bravo！“saidAnscombe，“Ihavegenerallylituponthesandstone。”
“AndIonthemud。”shemused。
“AndIonallthree，fortheearthcontainsmarbleandmudandsandstone，tosaynothingofgoldandjewels。”Ibrokein，beingtiredofsilence。
Butneitherofthempaidmuchattentiontome。Anscombedidsay，outofpoliteness，Isuppose，thatpitchandsubterraneanfiresshouldbeadded，orsomesuchnonsense。
ThenshebegantotellhimofherinfantilememoriesofHungary，whichwereextremelyfaint；ofhowtheycamethisplaceandlivedfirstofallintwolargeKaffirhuts，untilsuddenlytheybegantogrowrich；ofherschooldaysatMaritzburg；ofthefriendswithwhomshehadbeenstaying，andIknownotwhat，untilatlastIgotupandwentoutforawalk。
WhenIreturnedanhourorsolatertheywerestilltalking，andsocontinuedtodountilDr。Roddarriveduponthescene。Atfirsttheydidnotseehim，forhestoodatanangletothem，butIsawhimandwatchedhisfacewithagreatdealofinterest。
It，orratheritsexpression，wasnotpleasant；beforenowIhaveseensomethinglikeitonthatofawildbeastwhichthinksthatitisabouttoberobbedofitspreybyastrongerwildbeast，inshort，amixtureofhate，fearandjealousy——especiallyjealousy。
AtthelastIdidnotwonder，forthesetwoseemedtobegettingonuncommonlywell。
Theywere，sotospeak，wellmatched。She，ofcourse，wasthebetterlookingofthetwo，areallyprettyandattractiveyoungwomanindeed，butthevivacityofAnscombe’sface，thetwinkleofhismerryblueeyesanditsgeneralrefinementmadeupforwhathelacked——regularityoffeature。Ithinkhehadjusttoldheroneofhisgoodstorieswhichhealwaysmanagedtomakesohumorousbyatrickofpleasingandharmlessexaggeration，andtheywerebothlaughingmerrily。Thenshecaughtsightofthedoctorandhermerrimentevaporatedlikeadropofwateronahotshovel。DistinctlyIsawherpullherselftogetherandprepareforsomething。
“Howdoyoudo？“shesaidrapidly，risingandholdingoutherslimsun-brownedhand。“ButIneednotask，youlooksowell。”
“Howdoyoudo，mydear。”withaheavyemphasisonthe“dear“heansweredslowly。“ButIneedn’task，forIseethatyouareinperfecthealthandspirits。”andhebentforwardasthoughtokissher。
Somehoworothersheavoidedthatendearmentorsealofpossession。Idon’tquiteknowhow，asIturnedmyheadaway，notwishingtowitnesswhatIfelttobeunpleasant。WhenI
lookedupagain，however，Isawthatshehadavoidedit，thescowlonhisfacethedemurenessofhersandAnscombe’sevidentamusementassuredmeofthis。Shewasaskingaboutherfather；
heansweredthathealsoseemedquitewell。
“ThenwhydidyouwritetotellmethatIoughttocomeashewasnotatallwell？“sheinquired，withaliftingofherdelicateeyebrows。
Thequestionwasneveranswered，foratthatmomentMarnhamhimselfappeared。
“Oh！father。”shesaid，andrushedintohisarms，whilehekissedhertenderlyonbothcheeks。
SoIwasnotmistaken，thoughtItomyself，shedoesreallylovethismoralwreck，andwhatismore，helovesher，whichshowsthattheremustbegoodinhim。Isanyonetrulybad，Iwondered，orforthematterofthat，trulygoodeither？Isitnotallaquestionofcircumstanceandblood？
NeitherthenoratanyothertimehaveIfoundananswertotheproblem。Atanyratetomethereseemedsomethingbeautifulaboutthemeetingofthesetwo。
TheinfluenceofMissHedainthehousewasfeltatonce。Theboysbecamesmarterandputoncleanclothes。Vasesofflowersappearedinthevariousrooms；ourswasturnedoutandcleaned，adisagreeableprocesssofaraswewereconcerned。Moreover，atdinnerbothMarnhamandRoddworedressclotheswithshortjackets，acircumstancethatputAnscombeandmyselftoshamesincewehadnone。Itwascurioustoseehowwiththosedressclothes，whichdoubtlessawokeoldassociationswithinhim，Marnhamchangedhiscolourlikeachameleon。ReallyhemighthavebeenthecolonelofacavalryregimentrisingtotoasttheQueenafterhehadsentroundthewine，sopoliteandpolishedwashistalk。Whocouldhaveidentifiedthemanwiththedryoldruffianoftwenty-fourhoursbefore，hewhowasdrinkingclaretandverygoodclarettoomixedwithwaterandlisteningwithapoliteinteresttoallthedetailsofhisdaughter’sjourney？
Eventhedoctorlookedagentleman，whichdoubtlesshewasonceuponatime，ineveningdress。Moreover，somekindoftrucehadbeenarranged。HenolongercalledMissHeda“Mydear“orattemptedanyfamiliarities，whilesheonmorethanoneoccasionverydistinctlycalledhimDr。Rodd。
Somuchforthatnightandforseveralothersthatfollowed。Asforthedaystheywentbypleasantlyandidly。Hedawalkedaboutonherfather’sarm，conversedinfriendlyfashionwiththedoctor，alwayswatchinghim，Inoticed，asacatwatchesadogthatsheknowsiswaitinganopportunitytospring，andfortherestassociatedwithusasmuchasshecould。Particularlydidsheseemtotakerefugebehindmyowninsignificance，having，I
suppose，cometotheconclusionthatIwasaharmlesspersonwhomightpossiblyproveuseful。ButallthewhileIfeltthatthestormwasbankingup。IndeedMarnhamhimself，atanyratetoagreatextent，playedthepartofthecloud-compellingJove，forsoonitbecameevidenttome，andwithoutdoubttoDr。Roddalso，thathewasencouragingtheintimacybetweenhisdaughterandAnscombebyeverymeansinhispower。
InonewayandanotherhehadfullyinformedhimselfastoAnscombe’sprospectsinlife，whichwerebrilliantenough。
Moreoverhelikedthemanwho，astheremnantofthebetterperceptionsofhisyouthtoldhim，wasoneofthebestclassofEnglishmen，andwhatismore，hesawthatHedalikedhimalso，asmuchindeedasshedislikedRodd。Heevenspoketomeofthematterinaround-aboutkindoffashion，sayingthattheyoungwomanwhomarriedAnscombewouldbeluckyandthatthefatherwhohadhimforason-in-lawmightgotohisgraveconfidentofhischild’shappiness。IansweredthatIagreedwithhim，unlessthelady’saffectionshadalreadycausedhertoformotherties。
“Affections！“heexclaimed，droppingallpretence，“therearenoneinvolvedinthisaccursedbusiness，asyouarequitesharpenoughtohaveseenforyourself。”
“Iunderstoodthatanengagementwasinvolved。”Iremarked。
“Onmypart，perhaps，notonhers。”heanswered。“Oh！can’tyouunderstand，Quatermain，thatsometimesmenfindthemselvesforcedintostrangesituationsagainsttheirwill？“
RememberingtheveryuglynamethatIhadheardRoddcallMarnhamonthenightofthecardparty，IreflectedthatIcouldunderstandwellenough，butIonlysaid——
“Afterallmarriageisamatterthatconcernsawomanevenmorethanitdoesherfather，one，inshort，ofwhichshemustbethejudge。”
“Quiteso，Quatermain，buttherearesomedaughterswhoarepreparedtomakegreatsacrificesfortheirfathers。Well，shewillbeofageerelong，ifonlyIcanstaveitofftillthen。
Buthow，how？“andwithagroanheturnedandleftme。
Thatoldgentleman’sneckisinsomekindofanoose，thoughtI
tomyself，andhisdifficultyistopreventtheropefrombeingdrawntight。Meanwhilethispoorgirl’shappinessandfutureareatstake。
“Allan。”saidAnscombetomealittlelater，forbynowhecalledmebymyChristianname，“Isupposeyouhaven’theardanythingaboutthoseoxen，haveyou？“
“No，Icouldscarcelyexpecttoyet，butwhydoyouask？“
Hesmiledinhisdrollfashionandreplied，“Because，interestingasthishouseholdisinsundryways，Ithinkitisabouttimethatwe，oratanyratethatI，gotoutofit。”
“Yourlegisn’tfittotravelyet，Anscombe，althoughRoddsaysthatallthesymptomsareverysatisfactory。”
“Yes，buttotellyouthetruthIamexperiencingothersymptomsquiteunknowntothatbelovedphysicianandsounfamiliartomyselfthatIattributethemtotheinfluencesofthelocality。
Altitudeaffectstheheart，doesitnot，andthishousestandshigh。”
“Don’tplayoffyourjokesonme。”Isaidsternly。“Whatdoyoumean？“
“IwonderifyoufindMissHedaattractive，Allan，orifyouaretooold。Ibelievetherecomesanagewhentheonlybeautiesthatcanmoveamanarethoseofarchitecture，orscenery，orproperlycookedfood。”
“Hangitall！IamnotMethusaleh。”Ireplied；“butifyoumeanthatyouarefallinginlovewithHeda，whythedeucedon’tyousayso，insteadofwastingmytimeandyourown？“
“Becausetimewasgiventoustowaste。Properlyconsidereditisthebestusetowhichitcanbeput，oratanyratetheonethatdoesleastmischief。AlsobecauseIwishedtomakeyousayitformethatImightjudgefromtheeffectofyourwordswhetheritisorisnottrue。ImayaddthatIfeartheformertobethecase。”
“Well，ifyouareinlovewiththegirlyoucan’texpectonesoancientasmyself，whoisquiteoutoftouchwithsuchfollies，toteachyouhowtoact。”
“No，Allan。Unfortunatelythereareoccasionswhenonemustrelyuponone’sownwisdom，andmine，whatthereisofit，tellsmeIhadbettergetoutofthis。ButIcan’trideevenifItookthehorseandyouranbehind，andtheoxenhaven’tcome。”
“PerhapsyoucouldborrowMissMarnham’scartinwhichtorunawayfromher。”Isuggestedsarcastically。
“Perhaps，thoughIbelieveitwouldbefataltomyfoottositupinacartforthenextfewdays，andthehorsesseemtohavebeensentoffsomewhere。Lookhere，oldfellow。”hewenton，droppinghisbanteringtone，“it’sratherawkwardtomakeafoolofoneselfoveraladywhoisengagedtosomeoneelse，especiallyifonesuspectsthatwithalittleencouragementshemightbegintowalkthesameroad。ThetruthisIhavetakenthefeverprettybad，worsethaneverIdidbefore，andifitisn’tstoppedsoonitwillbecomechronic。”
“Ohno，Anscombe，onlyintermittentattheworst，andAfricanmalarianearlyalwaysyieldstoachangeofclimate。”
“HowcanIexpectacynicandamisogynisttounderstandthesimplefervourofaninexperiencedsoul——Oh！dratitall，Quatermain，stopyouracidchaffandtellmewhatistobedone。
ReallyIaminatightplace。”
“Very；sotightthatIrejoicetothink，asyouwerekindenoughtopointout，thatmyyearsprotectmefromanythingofthesort。
Ihavenoadvicetogive；Ithinkyouhadbetteraskitofthelady。”
“Well，wedidhavealittleconversation，hypotheticalofcourse，aboutsomefriendsofourswhofoundthemselvessimilarlysituated，andIregrettosaywithoutresult。”
“Indeed。Ididnotknowyouhadanymutualacquaintances。Whatdidshesayanddo？“
“Shesaidnothing，onlysighedandlookedasthoughsheweregoingtoburstintotears，andallshedidwastowalkaway。I’dhavefollowedherifIcould，butasmycrutchwasn’tthereitwasimpossible。ItseemedtomethatsuddenlyIhadcomeupagainstabrickwall，thattherewassomethingonhermindwhichshecouldnotorwouldnotletout。
“Yes，andifyouwanttoknow，Iwilltellyouwhatitis。RoddhasgotaholdoverMarnhamofasortthatwouldbringhimsomewherenearthegallows。AsthepriceofhissilenceMarnhamhaspromisedhimhisdaughter。Thedaughterknowsthatherfatherisinthisman’spower，thoughIthinkshedoesnotknowinwhatway，andbeingagoodgirl——“
“Anangelyoumean——docallherbyherrightname，especiallyinaplacewhereangelsaresomuchwanted。”
“Well，anangelifyoulike——shehaspromisedonherparttomarryamansheloathesinordertosaveherparent’sbacon。”
“JustwhatIconcluded，fromwhatweheardintherow。Iwonderwhichofthatpairisthebiggerblackguard。Well，Allan，thatsettlesit。YouandIareonthesideoftheangel。Youwillhavetogetheroutofthisscrapeand——ifshe’llhaveme，I’llmarryher；andifshewon’t，whyitcan’tbehelped。Nowthat’safairdivisionoflabour。Howareyougoingtodoit？Ihaven’tanidea，andifIhad，Ishouldnotpresumetointerferewithonesomucholderandwiserthanmyself。”
“Isupposethatbythetimeyouappearedinit，thegameofheadsIwinandtailsyoulosehaddiedoutoftheworld。”Irepliedwithanindignantsnort。“IthinkthebestthingIcandowillbetotakethehorseandlookforthoseoxen。Meanwhileyoucansettleyourbusinessbythelightofyournativegenius，andI
onlyhopeyou’llfinishitwithoutmurderandsuddendeath。”
“Isay，oldfellow。”saidAnscombeearnestly，“youdon’treallymeantogooffandleavemeinthishideousness？Ihaven’tbotheredmuchuptothepresentbecauseIwassurethatyouwouldfindawayout，whichwouldbenothingtoamanofyourintellectandexperience。Imeanithonestly，Idoindeed。”
“Doyou？Well，Icanonlysaythatmymindisaperfectblank，butifyouwillstoptalkingIwilltrytothinkthematterover。
There’sMissHedainthegardencuttingflowers。Iwillgotohelpher，whichwillbeaverypleasantchange。”
AndIwent，leavinghimtostareaftermejealously。
CHAPTERVII
THESTOEP
WhenIreachedMissHedashewascollectinghalf-openedmonthlyrosesfromthehedge，andnotquiteknowingwhattosayImadetheappropriatequotation。Atleastitwasappropriatetomythought，and，fromheranswer，tohersalso。
“Yes。”shesaid，“IamgatheringthemwhileImay。”andshesighedand，asIthought，glancedtowardstheverandah，thoughofthisIcouldnotbesurebecauseofthewidebrimofthehatshewaswearing。
Thenwetalkedalittleonindifferentmatters，whileIprickedmyfingershelpingtoplucktheroses。SheaskedmeifIthoughtthatAnscombewasgettingonwell，andhowlongitwouldbebeforehecouldtravel。IrepliedthatDr。Roddcouldtellherbetterthanmyself，butthatIhopedinaboutaweek。
“Inaweek！“shesaid，andalthoughshetriedtospeaklightlytherewasdismayinhervoice。
“Ihopeyoudon’tthinkittoolong。”Ianswered；“butevenifheisfittogo，theoxenhavenotcomeyet，andIdon’tquiteknowwhentheywill。”
“Toolong！“sheexclaimed。“Toolong！Oh！ifyouonlyknewwhatitistometohavesuchguestsasyouareinthisplace。”andherdarkeyesfilledwithtears。
Bynowwehadpassedtothesideofthehouseinsearchofsomeotherflowerthatgrewintheshade，Ithinkitwasmignonette，andwereoutofsightoftheverandahandquitealone。
“Mr。Quatermain。”shesaidhurriedly，“Iamwonderingwhethertoaskyouradviceaboutsomething，ifyouwouldgiveit。Ihavenoonetoconsulthere。”sheaddedratherpiteously。
“Thatisforyoutodecide。IfyouwishtodosoIamoldenoughtobeyourfather，andwilldomybesttohelp。”
Wewalkedontoanorangegrovethatstoodaboutfortyyardsaway，ostensiblytopicksomefruit，butreallybecauseweknewthatthereweshouldbeoutofhearingandcouldseeanyonewhoapproached。
“Mr。Quatermain。”shesaidpresentlyinalowvoice，Iamingreattrouble，almostthegreatestawomancanhave。IamengagedtobemarriedtoamanwhomIdonotcarefor。
“Thenwhynotbreakitoff？Itmaybeunpleasant，butitisgenerallybesttofaceunpleasantthings，andnothingcanbesobadasmarryingamanwhomyoudonot——carefor。
“BecauseIcannot——Idarenot。Ihavetoobey。”
“Howoldareyou，MissMarnham？“
“Ishallbeofageinthreemonths’time。YoumayguessthatI
didnotintendtoreturnhereuntiltheywereover，butIwas，well——trapped。HewrotetomethatmyfatherwasillandI
came。”
“Atanyratewhentheyareoveryouwillnothavetoobeyanyone。Itisnotlongtowait。”
“Itisaneternity。Besidesthisisnotsomuchaquestionofobedienceasofdutyandoflove。Ilovemyfatherwho，whateverhisfaults，hasalwaysbeenverykindtome。”
“AndIamsurehelovesyou。Whynotgotohimandtellhimyourtrouble？“
“Heknowsitalready，Mr。Quatermain，andhatesthismarriageevenmorethanIdo，ifthatispossible。Butheisdriventoit，asIam。Oh！Imusttellthetruth。Thedoctorhassomeholdoverhim。Myfatherhasdonesomethingdreadful；Idon’tknowwhatandIdon’twanttoknow，butifitcameoutitwouldruinmyfather，orworse，worse。Iamthepriceofhissilence。
Onthedayofourmarriagehewilldestroytheproofs。IfI
refusetomarryhim，theywillbeproducedandthen——“
“Itisdifficult。”Isaid。
“Itismorethandifficult，itisterrible。Ifyoucouldseeallthereisinmyheart，youwouldknowhowterrible。”
“IthinkIcansee，MissHeda。Don’tsayanymorenow。Givemetimetoconsider。Incaseofnecessitycometomeagain，andbesurethatIwillprotectyou。”
“Butyouaregoinginaweek。”
“Manythingshappeninaweek。Sufficienttothedayisitsevil。Attheendoftheweekwewillcometosomedecisionunlesseverythingisalreadydecided。”
Forthenexttwenty-fourhoursIreflectedonthisprettyproblemashardaseverIdidonanythinginallmylife。Herewasayoungwomanwhomustsomehowprotectedfromascoundrel，butwhocouldnotbeprotectedbecausesheherselfhadtoprotectanotherscoundrel——towit，herownfather。Couldthethingbefacedout？
Impossible，forIwassurethatMarnhamhadcommittedamurder，ormurders，ofwhichRoddpossessedevidencethatwouldhanghim。
CouldHedabemarriedtoAnscombeatonce？Yes，ifbothwerewilling，butthenMarnhamwouldstillbehung。Couldtheyelope？
Possibly，butwiththesameresult。CouldItakeherawayandputherundertheprotectionoftheCourtatPretoria？Yes，butwiththesameresult。IwonderedwhatmyHottentotretainer，Hans，wouldhaveadvised，hewhowasnamedLight-in-Darkness，andinhisownsavagewaywasthecleverestandmostcunningmanthatIhavemet。Alas！Icouldnotraisehimfromthegravetotellme，andyetIknewwellwhathewouldhaveanswered。
“Baas。”hewouldhavesaid，“thisisaropewhichonlythepaleoldmani。e。deathcancut。Letthisdoctordieorletthefatherdie，andthemaidenwillbefree。Surelyheavenislongingforoneorbothofthem，andifnecessary，Baas，I
believethatIcanpointoutapathtoheaven！“
Ilaughedtomyselfatthethought，whichwasonethatawhitemancouldnotentertainevenasathought。AndIfeltthatthehypotheticalHanswasright，deathalonecouldcutthisknot，andthereflectionmademeshiver。
ThatnightIsleptuneasilyanddreamed。IdreamedthatoncemoreIwasintheBlackKloofinZululand，seatedinfrontofthehutsattheendofthekloof。Beforemesquattedtheoldwizard，Zikali，wrappedupinhiskaross——Zikali，the“Thing-that-should-never-have-been-born。”whomIhadnotseenforyears。Nearhimweretheashesofafire，bythehelpofwhichI
knewhehadbeenpractisingdivination。Helookedupandlaughedoneofhisterriblelaughs。
“Soyouarehereagain，Macumazahn。”hesaid，“grownolder，butstillthesame；hereattheappointedhour。WhatdoyoucometoseekfromtheOpenerofRoads？NotMameenaasIthinkthistime。
No，no，itisshewhoseeksyouthistime，Macumazahn。Shefoundyouonce，didshenot？FarawaytothenorthamongastrangepeoplewhoworshippedanIvoryChild，apeopleofwhomIknewinmyyouth，andafterwards，forwasnottheirprophet，Harut，afriendofmineandoneofourbrotherhood？Shefoundyoubeneaththetusksoftheelephant，Jana，whomMacumazahntheskilfulcouldnothit。Oh！donotlookastonished。”
“Howdoyouknow？“Iaskedinmydream。
“Verysimply，Macumazahn。AlittleyellowmannamedHanshasbeenwithmeandtoldmeallthestorynotanhourago，afterwhichIsentforMameenatolearnifitweretrue。Shewillbegladtomeetyou，Macumazahn，shewhohasahungryheartthatdoesnotforget。Oh！don’tbeafraid。Imeanherebeneaththesun，inthelandbeyondtherewillbenoneedforhertomeetyousinceshewilldwelleveratyourside。”
“Whydoyoulietome，Zikali？“Iseemedtoask。“HowcanadeadmanspeaktoyouandhowcanImeetawomanwhoisdead？“
“Seektheanswertothatquestioninthehourofthebattlewhenthewhitemen，yourbrothers，fallbeneathassegaiasweedsfallbeforethehoe——orperhapsbeforeit。ButhavedonewithMameena，sinceshewhonevergrowsmoreoldcanwellaffordtowait。ItisnotofMameenathatyoucametospeaktome；itisofafairwhitewomannamedHeddanayouwouldspeak，andofthemansheloves，you，whowilleverbemixingyourselfupinaffairsofothers，andthereforemustbeartheirburdenswithnopaysavethatofhonour。Hearken，forthetimeisshort。Whenthestormburstsuponthembringhitherthefairmaiden，Heddana，andthewhitelord，Mauriti，andIwillshelterthemforyoursake。Takethemnowhereelse。Bringthemhitheriftheywouldescapetrouble。Ishallbegladtoseeyou，Macumazahn，foratlastIamabouttosmitetheZuluHouseofSenzangacona，myfoes，withabladderfullofblood，andoh！itstainstheirdoorpostsred。”
ThenIwokeup，feelingafraid，asonedoesafteranightmare，andwascomfortedtohearAnscombesleepingquietlyontheothersideoftheroom。
“Mauriti。WhydidZikalicallhimMauriti？“Iwondereddrowsilytomyself。“Oh！ofcoursehisnameisMaurice，anditwasaZulucorruptionofacommonsortaswasHeddanaofHeda。”ThenI
dozedoffagain，andbythemorninghadforgottenallaboutmydreamuntilitwasbroughtbacktomebysubsequentevents。
StillitwasthisandnothingelsethatputitintomyheadtoflytoZululandonanemergencythatwastoariseerelong。*
[*——ForthehistoryofZikaliandMameenaseethebookcalled_ChildofStorm_byH。RiderHaggard。]
ThateveningRoddwasabsentfromdinner，andoninquiringwherehemightbe，IwasinformedthathehadriddentovisitaKaffirheadman，apatientofhiswholivedatadistance，andwouldveryprobablysleepatthekraal，returningearlynextday。OneofthetopicsofconversationduringdinnerwasastowheretheexactboundarylineusedtorunbetweentheTransvaalandthecountryoverwhichtheBasutochief，Sekukuni，claimedownershipandjurisdiction。Marnhamsaidthatitpassedwithinacoupleofmilesofhishouse，andwhenwerose，themoonbeingverybright，offeredtoshowmewherethebeaconshadbeenplacedyearsbeforebyaBoerCommission。Iaccepted，asthenightwaslovelyforastrollafterthehotday。AlsoIwashalfconsciousofanotherundefinedpurposeinmymind，whichperhapsmayhavespreadtothatofMarnham。Thosetwoyoungpeoplelookedveryhappytogetherthereonthestoep，andastheymustpartsosoonitwould，Ithought，bekindtogivethemtheopportunityofaquietchat。
SooffwewenttothebrowofthehillonwhichtheTemplestood，whenceoldMarnhampointedouttomeabeacon，whichIcouldnotseeinthedim，silverybush-veldbelow，andhowthelineranfromittoanotherbeaconsomewhereelse。
“YouknowtheYellow-woodswamp。”hesaid。“Itpassesstraightthroughthat。ThatiswhythoseBasutoswhowerefollowingyoupulledupupontheedgeoftheswamp，thoughasamatteroffact，accordingtotheirideas，theyhadaperfectrighttokillyouontheirsideofthelinewhichcutsthroughthemiddle。”
ImadesomeremarktotheeffectthatIpresumedthatthelinehadinfactceasedtoexistatall，astheBasutoterritoryhadpracticallybecomeBritish；afterwhichwestrolledbacktothehouse。Walkingquietlybetweenthetallrosehedgesandwithoutspeaking，foreachofuswaspreoccupiedwithhisownthoughts，suddenlywecameuponaveryprettyscene。
WehadleftAnscombeandHedaseatedsidebysideonthestoep。
Theywerestillthere，butmuchclosertogether。Infacthisarmswereroundher，andtheywerekissingeachotherinaremarkablywhole-heartedway。Aboutthistherecouldbenomistake，sincetherimpi-strungcouchonwhichtheysatwasimmediatelyunderthehanginglamp——asomewhatunfortunatesituationforsuchendearments。Butwhatdidtheythinkofhanginglampsoranyotherlights，savethoseoftheirowneyes，theywhowerecontenttokissandmurmurwordsofpassionasthoughtheywereasmuchaloneasAdamandEveinEden？Whatdidtheythinkeitheroftheserpentcoiledabouttheboleofthistreeofknowledgewhereoftheyhadjustpluckedtheripeandmaddeningfruit？
ByamutualinstinctMarnhamandIwithdrewourselves，verygentlyindeed，purposingtoskirtroundthehouseandenteritfrombehind，ortobeseizedwithafitofcoughingatthegate，ortodosomethingtoannounceourpresenceataconvenientdistance。Whenwehadgonealittlewayweheardacrashinthebushes。
“Anotherofthosecursedbaboonsrobbingthegarden。”remarkedMarnhamreflectively。
“Ithinkheisgoingtorobthehousealso。”Ireplied，turningtopointtosomethingdarkthatseemedtobeleapingupontotheverandah。
NextmomentweheardHedautteralittlecryofalarm，andamansayinalowfiercevoice-
“SoIhavecaughtyouatlast，haveI！“
“Thedoctorhasreturnedfromhisbusinessroundssoonerthanwasexpected，andIthinkthatwehadbetterjointheparty。”I
remarked，andmadeabeelineforthestoep，Marnhamfollowingme。
IthinkthatIarrivedjustintimetopreventmischief。There，witharevolverinhishand，stoodRodd，tallandformidable，hisdarkfacelookinglikethatofSatanhimself，averymonumentofrageandjealousy。ThereinfrontofhimonthecouchsatHeda，graspingitsedgewithherfingers，hercheeksaspaleasasheetandhereyesshining。ByhersidewasAnscombe，coolandcollectedasusual，Inoticed，butevidentlyperplexed。
“Ifthereisanyshootingtobedone。”hewassaying，“Ithinkyouhadbetterbeginwithme。”
HiscalmnessseemedtoexasperateRodd，wholiftedtherevolver。
ButItoowasprepared，forinthathouseIalwayswentarmed。
Therewasnotimetogetattheman，whowasperhapsfifteenfeetaway，andIdidnotwanttohurthim。SoIdidthebestIcould；
thatis，Ifiredatthepistolinhishand，andthelightbeinggood，struckitnearthehiltandknockeditoffthebarrelbeforethehecouldpressthetrigger，ifhereallymeanttoshoot。
“That’sagoodshot。”remarkedAnscombewhohadseenme，whileRoddstaredatthehiltwhichhestillheld。
“Aluckyone。”Ianswered，walkingforward。“Andnow，Dr。Rodd，willyoubesogoodastotellmewhatyoumeanbyflourishingarevolver，presumablyloaded，inthefacesofaladyandanunarmedman？“
“Whatthedevilisthattoyou。”heaskedfuriously，“andwhatdoyoumeanbyfiringatme？“
“Agreatdeal。”Ianswered，“seeingthatayoungwomanandmyfriendareconcerned。Asforfiringatyou，hadIdonesoyouwouldnotbeaskingquestionsnow。Ifiredatthepistolinyourhand，butifthereismoretroublenexttimeitshallbeattheholder。”andIglancedatmyrevolver。
SeeingthatImeantbusinesshemadenoreply，butturneduponMarnhamwhohadfollowedme。
“Thisisyourwork，youoldvillain。”hesaidinalowvoicethatwasheavywithhate。“Youpromisedyourdaughtertome。Sheisengagedtome，andnowIfindherinthiswanderer’sarms。”
“WhathaveItodowithit？“saidMarnham。“Perhapsshehaschangedhermind。Youhadbetteraskher。”
“Thereisnoneedtoaskme。”interruptedHeda，whonowseemedtohavegothernerveagain。“I_have_changedmymind。Ineverlovedyou，Dr。Rodd，andIwillnotmarryyou。IloveMr。
Anscombehere，andashehasaskedmetobehiswifeImeantomarryhim。”
“Isee。”hesneered，“youwanttobeapeeressoneday，nodoubt。
Well，younevershallifIcanhelpit。Perhaps，too，thisfinegentlemanofyourswillnotbesoparticularlyanxioustomarryyouwhenhelearnsthatyouarethedaughterofamurderer。”
Thatwordwaslikeabombshellburstingamongus。Welookedateachotheraspeople，yetdazedwiththeshock，mightonabattlefieldwhenthenoiseoftheexplosionhasdiedandthesmokeclearedaway，toseewhoisstillalive。Anscombespokethefirst。
“Idon’tknowwhatyoumeanortowhatyourefer。”hesaidquietly。“Butatanyratethisladywhohaspromisedtomarrymeisinnocent，andthereforeifallherancestorshadbeenmurderersitwouldnotintheslightestturnmefrommypurposeofmarryingher。”
Shelookedathim，andallthegratitudeintheworldshoneinherfrightenedeyes。Marnhamstepped，orratherstaggeredforward，theblueveinthrobbingonforehead。
“Helies。”hesaidhoarsely，tuggingathislongbeard。“ListennowandIwilltellyouthetruth。Once，morethanayearago，I
wasdrunkandinarage。InthisstateIfiredataKaffirtofrightenhim，andbysomedevil’schanceshothimdead。That’swhathecallsbeingamurderer。”
“Ihaveanothertale。”saidRodd，“withwhichIwillnottroublethiscompanyjustnow。Lookhere，Heda，eitheryoufulfilyourpromiseandmarryme，oryourfatherswings。”
Shegaspedandsanktogetherontheseatasthoughshehadbeenshot。ThenItookupmyparable。
“Areyoutheman。”Iasked，“toaccuseothersofcrime？Letussee。YouhavespentseveralmonthsinanEnglishprisonIgavethenameforacrimeIwon’tmention。”
“Howdoyouknow——“hebegan。
“Nevermind，Idoknowandtheprisonbookswillshowit。
Further，yourbusinessisthatofsellinggunsandammunitiontotheBasutosofSekukuni’stribe，who，althoughtheexpeditionagainstthemhasbeentemporarilyrecalled，arestilltheQueen’senemies。Don’tdenyit，forIhavetheproofs。Further，itwasyouwhoadvisedSekukunitokilluswhenwewentdowntohiscountrytoshoottheotherday，becauseyouwereafraidthatweshoulddiscoverwhencehegothisguns。”Thiswasabowdrawnataventure，butthearrowwenthome，forIsawhisjawdrop。
“Further，Ibelieveyoutobeanillicitdiamondbuyer，andI
believealsothatyouhaveagainbeenarrangingwiththeBasutostomakeanendofus，thoughoftheselasttwoitemsatpresentI
lackpositiveproof。Now，Dr。Rodd，Iaskyouforthesecondtimewhetheryouareapersontoaccuseothersofcrimesandwhether，shouldyoudoso，youwillbeconsideredacrediblewitnesswhenyourownarebroughttolight？“
“Ifhadbeenguiltyofanyofthesethings，whichIamnot，itisobviousthatmypartnermusthavesharedinallofthem，exceptthefirst。Soifyouinformagainstme，youinformagainsthim，andthefatherofHeda，whomyourfriendwishestomarry，will，accordingtoyourshowing，beprovedagun-runner，athiefandawould-bemurdererofhisguests。Ishouldadviseyoutoleavethatbusinessalone，Mr。Quatermain。”
Thereplywasboldandclever，somuchsothatIregardedthisblackguardwithacertainamountofadmiration，asIanswered——
“Ishalltakeyouradviceifyoutakeminetoleaveanotherbusinessalone，thatofthisyoungladyandherfather，butnototherwise。”
“Thenspareyourbreathanddoyourworst；onlycareful，sharpasyouthinkyourself，thatyourmeddlingdoesnotrecoilonyourownhead。Listen，Heda，eitheryoumakeupyourmindtomarrymeatonceandarrangethatthisyounggentleman，whoasadoctorI
assureyouisnowquitefittotravelwithoutinjurytohishealth，leavesthishouseto-morrowwiththespyQuatermain——youmightlendhimtheCapecarttogoin——orIstartwiththeproofstolayachargeofmurderagainstyourfather。Igiveyoutillto-morrowmorningtohaveafamilycounciltothinkitover。
Good-night。”
“Good-night。”Iansweredashepassedme，“andpleasebecarefulthatnoneofusseeyourfaceagainbeforeto-morrowmorning。Asyoumayhappentohaveheard，mynativenamemeansWatcher-by-Night。”andIlookedattherevolverinmyhand。
WhenhehadvanishedIremarkedinascheerfulvoiceasIcouldcommand，thatIthoughtitwasbedtime，andasnobodystirred，added，“Don’tbeafraid，younglady。Ifyoufeellonely，youmusttellthatstoutmaidofyourstosleepinyourroom。Also，asthenightissohotIshalltakemynaponthestoep，there，justoppositeyourwindow。No，don’tletustalkanymorenow。
Therewillbeplentyoftimeforthatto-morrow。”
Sherose，lookedatAnscombe，lookedatme，lookedatherfatherverypitifully；thenwithalittleexclamationofdespairpassedintoherroombytheFrenchwindow，wherepresentlyIheardhercallthenativemaidandtellherthatshewastosleepwithher。
Marnhamwatchedherdepart。Thenhetoowentwithhisheadbowedandstaggeringalittleinhiswalk。NextAnscomberoseandlimpedoffintohisroom，Ifollowinghim。
“Well，youngman。”Isaid，“youhaveputusallinthesoupnowandnomistake。”
“Yes，Allan，IamafraidIhave。Butonthewholedon’tyouthinkitratherinterestingsoup——somanyunexpectedingredients，yousee！“
“Interestingsoup！Unexpectedingredients！“Irepeatedafterhim，adding，“Whynotcallithell’sbrothatonce？“
Thenhebecameserious，dreadfullyserious。
“Lookhere。”hesaid，“IloveHeda，andwhateverherfamilyhistorymaybeImeantomarryherandfacetherowathome。”
“Youcouldscarcelydolessinallthecircumstances，andasforrows，thatyoungladywouldsoonfitherselfintoanyplacethatyoucangiveher。Butthequestionis，howcanyoumarryher？“
“Oh！somethingwillhappen。”herepliedoptimistically。
“Youarequiterightthere。Somethingwillcertainlyhappen，butthepointis——what？SomethingwasverynearhappeningwhenI
turneduponthatstoep，sonearthatIthinkitwasluckyforyou，orforMissHeda，orboth，thatIhavelearnedhowtohandleapistol。Nowletmeseeyourfoot，anddon’tspeakanotherwordtomeaboutallthisbusinessto-night。I’drathertackleitwhenIamclear-headedinthemorning。”
“Well，IexaminedhisinstepandlegverycarefullyandfoundthatRoddwasright。Althoughitstillhurthimtowalk，thewoundwasquitehealedandallinflammationhadgonefromthelimb。Nowitwasonlyaquestionoftimeforthesinewstorightthemselves。WhileIwasthusengagedheheldforthonthevirtuesandcharmsofHeda，Imakingnocomment。
“Liedownandgettosleep，ifyoucan。”IsaidwhenIhadfinished。“ThedoorislockedandIamgoingontothestoep，soyouneedn’tbeafraidofthewindows。Good-night。”
Iwentoutandsatmyselfdowninsuchapositionthatbythelightofthehanginglamp，whichstillburned，IcouldmakesurethatnoonecouldapproacheitherHeda’sormyroomwithoutmyseeinghim。Fortherest，allmylifeIhavebeenaccustomedtonightvigils，andtheloadedrevolverhungfrommywristbyaloopofhide。Moreover，neverhadIfeltlesssleepy。ThereI
sathourafterhour，thinking。
Thesubstanceofmythoughtsdoesnotmatter，sincetheeventsthatfollowedmakethemsuperfluoustothestory。Iwillmerelyrecord，therefore，thattowardsdawnagreathorrortookholdofme。IdidnotknowofwhatIwasafraid，butIwasmuchafraidofsomething。NothingwaspassingineitherHeda’sorourroom，ofthatImadesurebypersonalexamination。Thereforeitwouldseemthatmyterrorswereunnecessary，andyettheygrewandgrew。Ifeltsurethatsomethingwashappeningsomewhere，adreadoccurrencewhichitwasbeyondmypowertoprevent，thoughwhetheritwereinthishouseorattheotherendofAfricaIdidnotknow。
Thementaldepressionincreasedandculminated。Thenofasuddenitpassedcompletelyaway，andasImoppedthesweatfromoffmybrowInoticedthatdawnwasbreaking。Itwasatenderandbeautifuldawn，andinadimwayItookitasagoodomen。Ofcourseitwasnothingbutthedailyresurrectionofthesun，andyetitbroughttomecomfortandhope。Thenightwaspastwithallitsfears；thelighthadcomewithallitsjoys。FromthatmomentIwascertainthatweshouldtriumphoverthesedifficultiesandthattheendofthemwouldbepeace。
SosurewasIthatIventuredtotakeanap，knowingthattheslightestmovementorsoundwouldwakeme。IsupposeIsleptuntilsixo’clock，whenIwasarousedbyafootfall。Isprangup，andsawbeforemeoneofournativeservants。Hewastremblingandhisfacewasashenbeneaththeblack。Moreoverhecouldnotspeak。Allhedidwastoputhisheadononeside，likeadeadman，andkeeponpointingdownwards。Thenwithhismouthopenandstartingeyeshebeckonedtometofollowhim。
Ifollowed。
CHAPTERVIII
RODD’SLASTCARD
ThemanledmetoMarnham’sroom，whichIhadneverenteredbefore。AllIcouldseeatfirst，fortheshutterswereclosed，wasthattheplaceseemedlarge，asbedchambersgoinSouthAfrica。Whenmyeyesgrewaccustomedtothelight，Imadeoutthefigureofamanseatedinachairwithhisheadbentforwardoveratablethatwasplacedatthefootofthebedalmostinthecentreoftheroom。Ithrewopentheshuttersandthemorninglightpouredin。ThemanwasMarnham。Onthetablewerewritingmaterials，alsoabrandybottlewithonlyadregofspiritinit。
Ilookedfortheglassandfounditbyhissideonthefloor，shattered，notmerelybroken。
“Drunk。”Isaidaloud，whereontheservant，whounderstoodme，spokeforthefirsttime，sayinginafrightenedvoiceinDutch——
“No，Baas，dead，halfcold。Ifoundhimsojustnow。”
IbentdownandexaminedMarnham，alsofelthisface。Sureenough，hewasdead，forhisjawhadfallen；alsohisfleshwaschill，andfromhimcameahorriblesmellofbrandy。Ithoughtforamoment，thenbadetheboyfetchDr。Roddandsaynothingtoanyoneelse，Hewent，andnowforthefirsttimeInoticedalargeenvelopeaddressed“AllanQuatermain，Esq。”inasomewhatshakyhand。ThisIpickedupandslippedintomypocket。
Roddarrivedhalfdressed。
“What’sthematternow？“hegrowled。
IpointedtoMarnham，saying——
“Thatisaquestionforyoutoanswer。
“Oh！drunkagain，Isuppose。”hesaid。ThenhedidasIhaddone，bentdownandexaminedhim。Afewsecondslaterhesteppedorreeledback，lookingasfrightenedasamancouldbe，andexclaiming——
“Deadasastone，byGod！Deadthesethreehoursormore。”
“Quiteso。”Ianswered，“butwhatkilledhim？“
“HowshouldIknow？“heaskedsavagely。“Doyoususpectmeofpoisoninghim？“
“Mymindisopen。”Ireplied；“butasyouquarrelledsobitterlylastnight，othersmight。”
Theboltwenthome；hesawhisdanger。
“Probablytheoldsotdiedinafit，oroftoomuchbrandy。Howcanoneknowwithoutapost-mortem？Butthatmustn’tbemadebyme。I’mofftoinformthemagistrateandgetholdofanotherdoctor。LetthebodyremainasitisuntilIreturn。
Ireflectedquickly。OughtItolethimgoornot？Ifhehadanyhandinthisbusiness，doubtlessheintendedtoescape。
Well，supposingthisweresoandhedidescapee，thatwouldbeagoodthingforHeda，andreallyitwasnoaffairofminetobringthefellowtojustice。Moreovertherewasnothingtoshowthathewasguilty；hiswholemannerseemedtopointanotherway，thoughofcoursehemightbeacting。
“Verywell。”Ireplied，“butreturnasquicklyaspossible。”
Hestoodforafewsecondslikeamanwhoisdazed。ItoccurredtomethatitmighthavecomeintohismindwithMarnham’sdeaththathehadlosthisholdoverHeda。Butifsohesaidnothingofit，butonlyasked——
“Willyougoinsteadofme？“
“OnthewholeIthinknot。”Ireplied，“andifIdid，thestoryI
shouldhavetotellmightnottendtoyouradvantage。
“That’strue，damnyou！“heexclaimedandlefttheroom。
TenminuteslaterhewasgallopingtowardsPilgrim’sRest。
BeforeIdepartedfromthedeathchamberIexaminedtheplacecarefullytoseeifIcouldfindanypoisonorotherdeadlything，butwithoutsuccess。OnethingIdiddiscover，however。
Turningtheleafofablotting-bookthatwasbyMarnham’selbow，Icameuponasheetofpaperonwhichwerewrittenthesewordsinhishand，“Greaterlovehathnomanthanthis——“thatwasall。
Eitherhehadforgottentheendofthequotationorchangedhismind，orwasunablethroughweaknesstofinishthesentence。
ThispaperalsoIputinmypocket。BoltingtheshuttersandlockingthedoorIreturnedtothestoep，whereIwasalone，forasyetnooneelsewasstirring。ThenIrememberedtheletterinmypocketandopenedit。Itran——
“DearMr。Quatermain，——
“IhaverememberedthatthosewhoquarrelwithDr。Roddareapttodiesoonandsuddenly；atanyratelifeatmyageisalwaysuncertain。Therefore，asIknowyoutobeanhonestman，Iamenclosingmywillthatitmaybeinsafekeepingandpurposetosendittoyourroomto-morrowmorning。PerhapswhenyoureturntoPretoriayouwilldeposititintheStandardBankthere，andifIamstillalive，forwardmethereceipt。YouwillseethatI
leaveeverythingtomydaughterwhomIdearlylove，andthatthereisenoughtokeepthewolffromherdoor，besidesmyshareinthisproperty，ifitiseverrealized。
“Afterallthathaspassedto-nightIdonotfeeluptowritingalongletter，so“Remainsincerelyyours，“H。A。Marnham。”
“PS——IshouldliketostateclearlyuponpaperthatmyearnesthopeandwisharethatHedamaygetclearofthatblack-hearted，murderous，scoundrelRoddandmarryMr。Anscombe，whomIlikeandwho，Iamsure，wouldmakeheragoodhusband。”
Thinkingtomyselfthisdidnotlookveryliketheletterofasuicide，Iglancedthroughthewill，asthetestatorseemedtohavewishedthatIshoulddoso。Itwasshort，butproperlydrawn，signed，andwitnessed，andbequeathedasumof#9，000，whichwasondepositattheStandardBank，togetherwithallhisotherproperty，realandpersonal，toHedaforherownsoleuse，freefromthedebtsandengagementsofherhusband，shouldshemarry。Alsoshewasforbiddentospendmorethan#1，000ofthecapital。Inshortthemoneywasstrictlytiedup。WiththewillweresomeotherpapersthatapparentlyreferredtocertainpropertyinHungarytowhichHedamightbecomeentitled，butabouttheseIdidnottrouble。
Replacingthesedocumentsinasafeinnerpocketintheliningofmywaistcoat，IwentintoourroomandwokeupAnscombewhowassleepingsoundly，afactthatcausedanunreasonableirritationinmymind。WhenatlengthhewasthoroughlyarousedIsaidtohim——
“Youareinluck’sway，myfriend。Marnhamisdead。”
“Oh！poorHeda。”heexclaimed，“shelovedhim。Itwillhalfbreakherheart。”
“Ifitbreakshalfofherheart。”Ireplied，“itwillmendtheotherhalf，fornowherfilialaffectioncan’tforcehertomarryRodd，andthatiswhereyouareinluck’sway。”
ThenItoldhimallthestory。
“Washemurderedordidhecommitsuicide？“heaskedwhenIhadfinished。
“Idon’tknow，andtotellyouthetruthIdon’twanttoknow；
norwillyouifyouarewise，unlessknowledgeisforceduponyou。Itisenoughthatheisdead，andforhisdaughter’ssakethelessthecircumstancesofhisendareexaminedintothebetter。”
“PoorHeda！“hesaidagain，“whowilltellher？Ican’t。_You_
foundhim，Allan。”
“Iexpectedthatjobwouldbemyshareofthebusiness，Anscombe。
Well，thesooneritisoverthebetter。Nowdressyourselfandcomeontothestoep。”
ThenIlefthimandnextminutemetHeda’sfat，half-breedmaid，astupidbutgoodsortofawomanwhowascalledKaatje，emergingfromhermistress’sroomwithajug，tofetchhotwater，I
suppose。
“Kaatje。”Isaid，“gobackandtelltheMissieHedathatIwanttospeaktoherassoonasIcan。Nevermindthehotwater，butstopandhelphertodress。”
Shebegantogrumblealittleinagood-naturedway，butsomethinginmyeyestoppedherandshewentbackintotheroom。
TenminuteslaterHedawasbymyside。
“Whatisit，Mr。Quatermain？“sheasked。“Ifeelsurethatsomethingdreadfulhashappened。”
“Ithas，mydear。”Ianswered，“thatis，ifdeathisdreadful。
Yourfatherdiedlastnight。”
“Oh！“shesaid，“oh！“andsankbackontotheseat。
“Bearup。”Iwenton，“wemustalldieoneday，andhehadreachedthefullageofman。”
“ButIlovedhim。”shemoaned。“HehadmanyfaultsIknow，stillIlovedhim。”
“Itisthelotoflife，Heda，thatweshouldlosewhatwelove。
Bethankful，therefore，thatyouhavesomeonelefttolove。”
“Yes，thankGod！that’strue。Ifithadbeenhim——no，it’swickedtosaythat。”
ThenItoldherthestory，andwhileIwasdoingso，Anscombejoinedus，walkingbyaidofhisstick。AlsoIshowedthembothMarnham’slettertomeandthewill，buttheotherbitofpaperI
didnotspeakoforshow。
ShesatverypaleandquietandlistenedtillIhaddone。Thenshesaid——
“Ishouldliketoseehim。”
“Perhapsitisaswell。”Ianswered。“Ifyoucanbearit，comeatonce，anddoyoucomealso，Anscombe。”
Wewenttotheroom，AnscombeandHedaholdingeachotherbythehand。Iunlockedthedoorand，entering，threwopenashutter。
TheresatthedeadmanasIhadlefthim，onlyhisheadhadfallenoveralittle。Shegazedathim，trembling，thenadvancedandkissedhiscoldforehead，muttering，“Good-bye，father。Oh！good-bye，father。”
Athoughtstruckme，andIasked——
“Isthereanyplaceherewhereyourfatherlockedupthings？AsI
haveshownyou，youarehisheiress，andifsoitmightbeaswellinthishousethatyoushouldpossessyourselfofhisproperty。”
“Thereisasafeinthecorner。”sheanswered，“ofwhichhealwayskeptthekeyinhistrouserpocket。”
“ThenwithyourleaveIwillopenitinyourpresence。”
GoingtothedeadmanIsearchedhispocketandfoundinitabunchofkeys。TheseIwithdrewandwenttothesafeoverwhichaskinrugwasthrown。Iunlockediteasilyenough。Withinweretwobagsofgold，eachmarked#100；alsoanotherlargerbagmarked“Mywife’sjewelry。ForHeda“；alsosomepapersandaminiatureoftheladywhoseportraithunginthesitting-room；
alsosomeloosegold。
“Nowwhowilltakechargeofthese？“Iasked。“Idonotthinkitsafetoleavethemhere。”
“You，ofcourse。”saidAnscombe，whileHedanodded。
SowithagroanIconsignedallthesevaluablestomycapaciouspockets。ThenIlockeduptheemptysafe，replacedthekeyswhereIhadfoundthemonMarnham，fastenedtheshutterandlefttheroomwithAnscombe，waitingforawhileoutsidetillHedajoinedus，sobbingalittle。Afterthiswegotsomethingtoeat，insistingonHedadoingthesame。
OnleavingthetableIsawacurioussight，namely，thepatientswhomRoddwasattendinginthelittlehospitalofwhichIhavespoken，departingtowardsthebush-veld，thoseofthemwhocouldwalkwellandtheattendantsassistingtheothers。Theywerealreadysomedistanceaway，toofarindeedformetofollow，asI
didnotwishtoleavethehouse。Theincidentfilledmewithsuspicion，andIwentroundtothebacktomakeinquiries，butcouldfindnoone。AsIpassedthehospitaldoor，however，I
heardavoicecallinginSisutu——
“Donotleavemebehind，mybrothers。”
IenteredandsawthemanonwhomRoddhadoperatedthedayofourarrival，lyinginbedandquitealone。Iaskedhimwheretheothershadgone。Atfirsthewouldnotanswer，butwhenI
pretendedtoleavehim，calledoutthatitwasbacktotheirowncountry。Finally，tocutthestoryshort，IextractedfromhimthattheyhadleftbecausetheyhadnewsthattheTemplewasgoingtobeattackedbySekukunianddidnotwishtobeherewhenIandAnscombewerekilled。Howthenewsreachedhimherefused，orcouldnot，say；nordidheseemtoknowanythingofthedeathofMarnham。WhenIpressedhimontheformerpoint，heonlygroanedandcriedforwater，forhewasinpainandthirsty。I
askedhimwhohadtoldSekukuni’speopletokillus，butherefusedtospeak。
“Verywell。”Isaid，“thenyoushalllieherealoneanddieofthirst。”andagainIturnedtowardsthedoor。
Atthishecriedout——
“Iwilltellyou。Itwasthewhitemedicine-manwholiveshere；
hewhocutmeopen。Hearrangeditallafewdaysagobecausehehatesyou。Lastnightherodetotelltheimpiwhentocome。”
“Whenisittocome？“Iasked，holdingthejugofwatertowardshim。
“To-nightattherisingofthemoon，sothatitmaygetfarawaybeforethedawn。Mypeoplearethirstyforyourbloodandforthatoftheotherwhitechief，becauseyoukilledsomanyofthembytheriver。Theotherstheywillnotharm。”
“Howdidyoulearnallthis？“Iaskedhimagain，butwithoutresult，forhebecameincoherentandonlymutteredsomethingaboutbeingleftalonebecausetheotherscouldnotcarryhim。
SoIgavehimsomewater，afterwhichhefellasleep，orpretendedtodoso，andIlefthim，wonderingwhetherhewasdelirious，orspoketruth。AsIpassedthestablesIsawthatmyownhorsewasthere，forinthisdistricthorsesarealwaysshutupatnighttokeepthemfromcatchingsickness，butthatthefourbeaststhathadbroughtHedafromNatalintheCapecartweregone，thoughitwasevidentthattheyhadbeenkraaledheretillwithinanhourortwo。Ithrewmyhorseabundleofforageandreturnedtothehousebythebackentrance。Thekitchenwasempty，butcrouchedbythedoorofMarnham’sroomsattheboywhohadfoundhimdead。Hehadbeenattachedtohismasterandseemedhalfdazed。Iaskedhimwheretheotherservantswere，towhichherepliedthattheyhadallrunaway。ThenIaskedhimwherethehorseswere。HeansweredthattheBaasRoddhadorderedthemtobeturnedoutbeforeherodeoffthatmorning。I
badehimaccompanymetothestoep，asIdarednotlethimoutofmysight，whichhedidunwillinglyenough。
ThereIfoundAnscombeandHeda。Theywereseatedsidebysideuponthecouch。Tearswererunningdownherfaceandhe，lookingverytroubled，heldherbythehand。SomehowthatpictureofHedahasalwaysremainedfixedinmymind。Sorrowbecomessomewomenandshewasoneofthem。Herbeautifuldarkgreyeyesdidnotgrowredwithweeping；thetearsjustwelledupinthemandfelllikedewdropsfromtheheartofaflower。
Shesatveryuprightandverystill，ashedid，lookingstraightinfrontofher，whilearayofsunshine，fallingonherhead，showedthechestnut-huedlightsinherwavinghair，ofwhichshehadagreatabundance。
Indeedthepairofthem，thusseatedsidebyside，remindedmeofanengravingIhadseensomewhereofthestatuesofahusbandandwifeinanoldEgyptiantomb。Withjustsuchalookdidthewomanofthousandsofyearsagositgazinginpatienthopeintothedarknessofthefuture。Deathhadmadehersad，butitwasgoneby，andthelittlewistfulsmileaboutherlipsseemedtosuggestthatinthisdarknesshersorrowfuleyesalreadysawthestirringofthenewlifetobe。Moreover，wasnotthemanshelovedthecompanionofherhopesashehadbeenofherwoes。
Suchwasthefancifulthoughtthatsprangupinmymind，eveninthemidstofthosegreatanxieties，likeasingleflowerinastonywildernessofthornsoronestarontheblacknessofthenight。
InamomentithadgoneandIwastellingthemofwhatIhadlearned。TheylistenedtillIhadfinished。ThenAnscombesaidslowly——
“Twoofuscan’tholdthishouseagainstanimpi。Wemustgetoutofit。”
“Bothyourconclusionsseemquitesound。”Iremarked，“thatisifyonderoldKaffiristellingthetruth。Butthequestionis——how？Wecan’tallthreeofusrideononenag，asyouarestillacripple。”
“ThereistheCapecart。”suggestedHeda。
“Yes，butthehorseshavebeenturnedout，andIdon’tknowwheretolookforthem。NordareIsendthatboyalone，forprobablyhewouldboltliketheothers。Ithinkthatyouhadbettergetonmyhorseandrideforit，leavingustotakeourchance。I
daresaythewholethingisalieandthatweshallbeinnodanger。”Iaddedbywayofsofteningthesuggestion。
“ThatIwillneverdo。”sherepliedwithsomuchquietconvictionthatIsawitwasuselesstopursuetheargument。
Ithoughtforamoment，asthepositionwasverydifficult。Theboywasnottobetrusted，andifIwentwithhimIshouldbeleavingthesetwoaloneand，inAnscombe’sstate，almostdefenceless。StillitseemedasthoughImust。JustthenI
lookedup，andthereatthegardengatesawAnscombe’sdriver，Footsack，themanwhomIhaddespatchedtoPretoriatofetchhisoxen。Inotedthathelookedfrightenedandwasbreathless，forhiseyesstartedoutofhishead。Alsohishatwasgoneandhebledalittlefromhisface。
Seeingusheranupthepathandsatdownasthoughheweretired。