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 circumstances, 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. Harut 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."

"No, no!" I replied, "I have given up tobacco of the Kendah variety; it
is too strong for me."

"Yes, yes!" she said, "for something that is stronger than the Kendah
tobacco will make you do it--when I wish."

"Did Harut tell you that, Lady Ragnall?"

"I don't know," she answered confusedly. "I think the Ivory Child
told me; it used to talk to me often. You know that Child isn't really
destroyed. Like my reason that seemed to be lost, it has only gone
backwards or forwards where you and I shall see