exceedingly doubtful, and that she did not "blast" us in some moment of
vexation, and that we were not hot-potted by the Amahagger, it would be
quite impossible for us to find our way across the network of marshes
which, stretching for scores and scores of miles, formed a stronger and
more impassable fortification round the various Amahagger households
than any that could be built or designed by man. No, there was but
one thing to do--face it out; and, speaking for my own part, I was so
intensely interested in the whole weird story that, so far as I was
concerned, notwithstanding the shattered state of my nerves, I asked
nothing better, even if my life paid forfeit to my curiosity. What man
for whom physiology has charms could forbear to study such a character
as that of this Ayesha when the opportunity of doing so presented
itself? The very terror of the pursuit added to its fascination, and
besides, as I was forced to own to myself even now in the sober light of
day, she herself had attractions that I could not forget. Not even the
dreadful sight which I had witnessed during the night could drive that
folly from my mind; and alas! that I should have to admit it, it has not
been driven thence to this hour.

After I had dressed myself I passed into the eating, or rather embalming
chamber, and had some food, which was as before brought to me by the
girl mutes. When I had finished I went and saw poor Leo, who was quite
off his head, and did not even know me. I asked Ustane how she thought
he was; but she only shook her head and began to cry a little. Evidently
her hopes were small; and I then and there made up my mind that, if it
were in any way possible, I would get _She_ to come and see him. Surely
she would cure him if she chose--at any rate she said she could. While I
was in the room, Billali entered, and also shook his head.

"He will die at night," he said.