Part 39 (1/2)
This happened after her husband had recovered from the hurts he received in the battle, on an occasion when he was obliged to separate from her for a day in order to attend to some matter in the Town of the Child.
I think it had to do with the rifles used in the battle, which he had presented to the White Kendah. So, leaving me to look after her, he went, unwillingly enough, who seemed to hate losing sight of his wife even for an hour.
I took her for a walk in the wood, to that very point indeed on the lip of the crater whence we had watched her play her part as priestess at the Feast of the First-fruits. After we had stood there a while we went down among the great cedars, trying to retrace the last part of our march through the darkness of that anxious night, whereof now for the first time I told her all the story.
Growing tired of scrambling among the fallen boughs, at length Lady Ragnall sat down and said:
”Do you know, Mr. Quatermain, these are the first words we have really had since that party at Ragnall before I was married, when, as you may have forgotten, you took me in to dinner.”
I replied that there was nothing I recollected much more clearly, which was both true and the right thing to say, or so I supposed.
”Well,” she said slowly, ”you see that after all there was something in those fancies of mine which at the time you thought would best be dealt with by a doctor--about Africa and the rest, I mean.”
”Yes, Lady Ragnall, though of course we should always remember that coincidence accounts for many things. In any case they are done with now.”
”Not quite, Mr. Quatermain, even as you mean, since we have still a long way to go. Also in another sense I believe that they are but begun.”
”I do not understand, Lady Ragnall.”
”Nor do I, but listen. You know that of anything which happened during those months I have no memory at all, except of that one dream when I seemed to see George and Savage in the hut. I remember my baby being killed by that horrible circus elephant, just as the Ivory Child was killed or rather destroyed by Jana, which I suppose is another of your coincidences, Mr. Quatermain. After that I remember nothing until I woke up and saw George standing in front of me covered with blood, and you, and Jana dead, and the rest.”
”Because during that time your mind was gone, Lady Ragnall.”
”Yes, but where had it gone? I tell you, Mr. Quatermain, that although I remember nothing of what was pa.s.sing about me then, I do remember a great deal of what seemed to be pa.s.sing either long ago or in some time to come, though I have said nothing of it to George, as I hope you will not either. It might upset him.”
”What do you remember?” I asked.
”That's the trouble; I can't tell you. What was once very clear to me has for the most part become vague and formless. When my mind tries to grasp it, it slips away. It was another life to this, quite a different life; and there was a great story in it of which I think what we have been going through is either a sequel or a prologue. I see, or saw, cities and temples with people moving about them, George and you among them, also that old priest, Hart. You will laugh, but my recollection is that you stood in some relations.h.i.+p to me, either that of father or brother.”
”Or perhaps a cousin,” I suggested.
”Or perhaps a cousin,” she repeated, smiling, ”or a great friend; at any rate something very intimate. As for George, I don't know what he was, or Hart either. But the odd thing is that little yellow man, Hans, whom I only saw once living for a few minutes that I can remember, comes more clearly back to my mind than any of you. He was a dwarf, much stouter than when I saw him the other day, but very like. I recall him curiously dressed with feathers and holding an ivory rod, seated upon a stool at the feet of a great personage--a king, I think. The king asked him questions, and everyone listened to his answers. That is all, except that the scenes seemed to be flooded with sunlight.”
”Which is more than this place is. I think we had better be moving, Lady Ragnall, or you will catch a chill under these damp cedars.”
I said this because I did not wish to pursue the conversation. I considered it too exciting under all her circ.u.mstances, especially as I perceived that mystical look gathering on her face and in her beautiful eyes, which I remembered noting before she was married.
She read my thoughts and answered with a laugh:
”Yes, it is damp; but you know I am very strong and damp will not hurt me. For the rest you need not be afraid, Mr. Quatermain. I did not lose my mind. It was taken from me by some power and sent to live elsewhere.
Now it has been given back and I do not think it will be taken again in that way.”
”Of course it won't,” I exclaimed confidently. ”Whoever dreamed of such a thing?”
”_You_ did,” she answered, looking me in the eyes. ”Now before we go I want to say one more thing. Hart and the head priestess have made me a present. They have given me a box full of that herb they called tobacco, but of which I have discovered the real name is Taduki. It is the same that they burned in the bowl when you and I saw visions at Ragnall Castle, which visions, Mr. Quatermain, by another of your coincidences, have since been translated into facts.”
”I know. We saw you breathe that smoke again as priestess when you uttered the prophecy as Oracle of the Child at the Feast of the First-fruits. But what are you going to do with this stuff, Lady Ragnall? I think you have had enough of visions just at present.”
”So do I, though to tell you the truth I like them. I am going to keep it and do nothing--as yet. Still, I want you always to remember one thing--don't laugh at me”--here again she looked me in the eyes--”that there is a time coming, some way off I think, when I and you--no one else, Mr. Quatermain--will breathe that smoke again together and see strange things.”