Page:The Strand Magazine (Volume 4).djvu/144

 jasper arch, you expected to see such a vision—"

"And the falling star," I interrupted, "was that imaginary, too?"

He turned towards me as he responded:

"No, you saw something then. What the true story of the cause of this woman's insanity may be, we are not likely to learn, but the explanation of the falling star, or rather shower of stars, is simple enough. On certain known days in each year the earth crosses the orbit of a stream of meteorites above here. When this occurs a shower of falling stars may be seen, and the woman has accustomed herself to connect a purely natural event with the highly imaginative reappearance of her lover. However, we have had a strange adventure. I hope we shall soon find our way out of this valley."

And, rising, we resumed our journey, and before long fortunately reached the spot where Hassan was encamped.

"Will the Englishmen forgive me?" he asked. "I could not speak to them of the one who, in a jealous moment, despoiled one kingdom of its prince and another of the queen who reigned over it."

We made a suitable reply, and, entering the tent, worn out with the events of the night, sought repose amid the words of Hassan, in which he declared himself the dust of our feet, and expressed his determination to ask the felicities to abide with us for so readily forgiving him.