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learned that Marie was his wifeyes； his wife indeedand grew mad with
hate and jealousy。 So I bore false witness against him； and； you fools；
you believed me and ordered me to shoot him who is innocent before God
and man。 Then things went wrong。 The woman tricked me againfor the
last time。 She dressed herself as the man； and in the dawnlight I was
deceived。 I killed her； her whom I love alone； and now her father； who
loved her also； has killed me。〃
By this time I understood all； for my drugged brain had awakened at
last。 I ran to the brute upon the ground； grotesque in my woman's
garments all awry； I leaped on him and stamped out the last of his life。
Then； standing over his dead body； I shook my fists and cried：
〃Men； see what you have done。 May God pay you back all you owe her and
me！〃
They dismounted； they came round me； they protested； they even wept。
And I； I raved at them upon the one side； while the mad Henri Marais
raved upon the other； and the Vrouw Prinsloo； waving her big arms；
called down the curse of God and the blood of the innocent upon their
heads and those of their children for ever。
Then I remember no more。
When I came to myself two weeks afterwards； for I had been very ill and
in delirium； I was lying in the house of the Vrouw Prinsloo alone。 The
Boers had all gone； east and west and north and south； and the dead were
long buried。 They had taken Henri Marais with them； so I was told；
dragging him away in a bullock cart； to which he was tied； for he was
raving mad。 Afterwards he became quieter； and； indeed； lived for years；
walking about and asking all whom he met if they could lead him to
Marie。 But enough of himpoor man； poor man！
The tale which got about was that Pereira had murdered Marie out of
jealousy； and been shot by her father。 But there were so many tragic
histories in those days of war and massacre that this particular one was
soon quite forgotten； especially as those concerned in it for one reason
and another did not talk overmuch of its details。 Nor did I talk of it；
since no vengeance could mend my broken heart。
They brought me a letter that had been found on Marie's breast； stained
with her blood。
Here it is：
〃MY HUSBAND；
〃Thrice have you saved my life； and now it is my turn to save yours； for
there is no other path。 It may be that they will kill you afterwards；
but if so； I shall be glad to have died first in order that I may be
ready to greet you in the land beyond。
〃I drugged you； Allan； then I cut off my hair and dressed myself in your
clothes。 The Vrouw Prinsloo； Hans and I set my garments upon you。 They
led you out as though you were fainting； and the guards； seeing me； whom
they thought was you； standing in the doorway； let them pass without
question。
〃What may happen I do not know； for I write this after you are gone。 I
hope； however； that you will escape and lead some full and happy life；
though I fear that its best moments will always be shadowed by memories
of me。 For I know you love me； Allan； and will always love me； as I
shall always love you。
〃The light is burning outlike mineso farewell； farewell； farewell！
All earthly stories come to an end at last； but at that end we shall
meet again。 Till then； adieu。 Would that I could have done more for
you； since to die for one who is loved with body； heart and soul is but
a little thing。 Still I have been your wife； Allan； and your wife I
shall remain when the world is old。 Heaven does not grow old； Allan；
and there I shall greet you。
〃The light is dead； butoh！in my heart another light arises！
〃Your MARIE。〃
This was her letter。
I do not think there is anything more to be said。
Such is the history of my first love。 Those who read it； if any ever
do； will understand why I have never spoken of her before； and do not
wish it to be known until I； too； am dead and have gone to join the
great soul of Marie Marais。
ALLAN QUATERMAIN。
End