"I am not like other women. Something moves me to tell you so, something
very real and powerful which pushes me as a strong man might. It is odd,
because I have never spoken to anyone else like that, not to my mother
for instance, or even to Lord Ragnall. They would neither of them
understand, although they would misunderstand differently. My mother
would think I ought to see a doctor--and if you knew that doctor! He,"
and she nodded towards Lord Ragnall, "would think that my engagement had
upset me, or that I had grown rather more religious than I ought to be
at my age, and been reflecting too much--well, on the end of all things.
From a child I have understood that I am a mystery set in the midst of
many other mysteries. It all came to me one night when I was about nine
years old. I seemed to see the past and the future, although I could
grasp neither. Such a long, long past and such an infinite future. I
don't know what I saw, and still see sometimes. It comes in a flash, and
is in a flash forgotten. My mind cannot hold it. It is too big for
my mind; you might as well try to pack Dr. Jeffreys there into this
wineglass. Only two facts remain written on my heart. The first is
that there is trouble ahead of me, curious and unusual trouble; and
the second, that permanently, continually, I, or a part of me, have
something to do with Africa, a country of which I know nothing
except from a few very dull books. Also, by the way--this is a new
thought--that I have a great deal to do with _you_. That is why I am
so interested in Africa and you. Tell me about Africa and yourself now,
while we have the chance." And she ended rather abruptly, adding in a
louder voice, "You have lived there all your life, have you not, Mr.
Quatermain?"

"I rather think your mother would be right--about the doctor, I mean," I
said.