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。