Job’s remarks were not of an exactly cheering order to a man who had passed such a night as I had; and, what is more, they had the weight of truth.  Taking one thing with another, it appeared to me to be an utter impossibility that we should escape from the place we were.  Supposing that Leo recovered, and supposing that She would let us go, which was 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.

“God forbid, my father,” I answered, and turned away with a heavy heart.

“She-who-must-be-obeyed commands thy presence, my Baboon,” said the old man as soon as we got to the curtain; “but, oh my dear son, be more careful.  Yesterday I made sure in my heart that She would blast thee when thou didst not crawl upon thy stomach before her.  She is sitting in the great hall even now to do justice upon those who would have smitten thee and the Lion.  Come on, my son; come swiftly.”