Page:Doughty--Mirrikh or A woman from Mars.djvu/269

 face of the woman, if I ever saw a woman’s face in this world.

More perfectly than before was it transfigured and it turned toward me pleadingly; again I was addressed in that  unknown tongue.

God knows what she said, but her manner was unmistakable. She pointed toward the bridge, at Walla, at me.

There could be no doubt whatever that she was beseeching me to yield; but I was still stubborn and would not. Seeing determination in my face she caught my hand and kissed it again and again—she even grovelled at my feet,  crying out in agony, pleading in unintelligible words.

“You see how it is, Wylde. He’s off the handle again!” called the Doctor. “That settles it. You can do nothing now but save yourself if you have a grain of common sense  left.”

Still I should have remained firm to my purpose if I had not distinctly heard that well-remembered voice in my ear. “Do it, George! Do it at once and trust in God!”

I felt that I could hesitate no longer.

“How is that thing fastened on your side?” I shouted to the Doctor. “Is there an iron peg, the same as here?”

“Yes.”

“Will it bear both Walla and myself? I cannot leave the poor creature to cross alone.”

“I should say it might; it seemed strong enough, but the swing is something terrible. You had better leave the girl till we can get help.”

I paid no heed to this, but bent down and shook Walla gently. She had never even lifted her head since the appearance of Mirrikh upon the rock, Now, however, she responded, and looking up asked me what I wanted. I raised her and pointed to the bridge.

Instantly she clapped her hands to her face and began sobbing.

“Ah, it has come! I saw it all in my dreams!” she murmured. “It is to be my fate!”

“No, no! You will be saved! I shall help you to cross. Come, Walla. We are to go now.”

“Let me say good bye. I know that I shall see him again, but now all looks so dark—so dark!”

She uncovered her face and moved toward Maurice, but drew back before she had taken three steps.