f how the husband of the Asika was driven mad by ghosts.

Just then she spoke to the man, addressing him by name and saying:

"Leave us alone, Mungana, I wish to speak with this white lord."

He did not seem to hear her words, but continued to stare at Alan.

"Hearken!" she exclaimed in a voice of ice. "Do my bidding and begone,
or you shall sleep alone to-night in a certain chamber that you know
of."

Then Mungana rose, looked at her as a dog sometimes does at a cruel
master who is about to beat it, yes, with just that same expression, put
his hands before his eyes for a little while, and turning, left the
hall by a side door which closed behind him. The Asika watched him go,
laughed musically and said:

"It is a very dull thing to be married,--but how are you named, white
man?"

"Vernon," he answered.

"Vernoon, Vernoon," she repeated, for she could not pronounce the O as
we do. "Are you married, Vernoon?"

He shook his head.

"Have you been married?"

"No," he answered, "never, but I am going to be."

"Yes," she repeated, "you are going to be. You remember that you were
near to it many years ago, when Little Bonsa got jealous and ran away
with you. Well, she won't do that again, for doubtless she is tired of
you now, and besides," she added with a flash of ferocity, "I'd melt her
with fire first and set her spirit free."

While Jeekie was trying to explain this mysterious speech to Alan, the
Asika broke in, asking:

"Do you always want to wear that mask?"

He answered, "Certainly not," whereon she bade Jeekie take it off, which
he did.

"Understand me," she said, fixing her great languid eyes upon his in a
fashion that made him exceedingly uncomfortable, "understand, Vernoon,
that if you go out anywhere, it must be in your mask, which you can only
put off when you are alone with me?"

"Why?"

"Because, Vernoon, I do not choose that any other woman should see
your face. If a woman looks upon your uncovered face, remember that she
dies--not nicely."

Alan stared at her blankly, being unable to find appropriate Asiki words
in which to reply to this threat. But the Asika only leaned back in
her chair and laughed at his evident confusion and dismay, till a new
thought struck her.

"Your lips are free now," she said; "kiss my hand after the fashion
of your own country," and she stretched it out to Alan, leaving him no
choice but to obey her.

"Why," she went on mischievously, taking his hand an