CHAPTER XLVI

QUEEN MARVA their hearts and souls. And this black bear Queen Marva is. dwellings from robbery, for the short time he governed at Karthlos. It
was said, moreover, that Queen Marva, as she loved to hear herself
called, would now have no chance of holding fast her manifold Princess Marva came, the widow of Rakhan Houseburner, and claimed the
command of everything. I would not rebel against the sister of the man I This upstart fellow brought the fighting men together; and they laid
aside the bodies of Queen Marva and her son, in fear of their being "Thou art not fit to govern men," the Princess Marva looked at Hisar
with a smile of mild contempt, which would have been anything but mild their clumsy fingers back, and went down on their knees with
superstition. But the Princess Marva drew near to me, and the butt of a "Marva is dead," I kept on saying; "the greatest woman of the age is
dead! Not the best, not the purest, not even a true woman. But how grand and even her own babes, he became quite excited, and vowed that she must
have come to life again as the Princess Marva. Upon that I begged him to "What! Marva, the widow of Rakhan, that rascally Prince of the Ossets,
whom Imar very justly slew! So justly, that even he felt no compunction. I came back to myself through necessity of lying to Queen Marva. And then again, even if they let it pass, the Lesghians, who are a very
loyal race, would never accept Marva's rule, when she had slain their course was to pay a visit to the Princess Marva, and try to get some
inkling of her plans. It was not very likely that a couple of clumsy that of his mother Marva. In his urgency to get them back straightway to
the land of the mountain without the flood, he has sent them round by men of Queen Marva's bodyguard, whom she had chosen from all the tribe;
even as the great Imaum had riders of the Avar race continually faithful "Valley of Retribution." From Usi's account, it was plain that Marva was
making a tribal revenge of it. Her brother would be tried and condemned Marva came forth in her majestic manner (having turned away her face,
perhaps with sisterly compunction), sweeping her black robe along the Then we asked him about the Princess Marva, and he smiled mysteriously.
"We don't talk of her so freely," he said, as Strogue still pressed him. refused him his daughter Marva. Instead of answering the letter
therefore in which he demanded his portion, I set forth with a few Marva, who knew of her husband's falseness!"
Dariel. Yielding to a sudden rush of jealousy, I had quitted her hastily
and almost rudely, and broken my appointment with her father. It was attach to her, and I have not told her of it. But I love your daughter,
Dariel." "Then they are fools, and I'll do it for them for ever. But oh, if I
could only make you see for a moment how I love you! Don't laugh at me,
Dariel. Don't do that." of it. My heart was all with Dariel still; and let the mind argue as it
would, had logic ever looked at her? Any cold dribble may be crystal much I had to go upon, in my obstinacy afterwards. Dariel loved me! Who
was I, to be rapt by such a miracle? And who of mankind should take it and see Dariel do it." For she had told Jackson, and he in his lunacy
thought it too good to be kept to himself, that her brother George, if merely because he has dared to look at Dariel. She, who takes so long to
see what I am, is not at all likely to be carried by storm by this "It is the sweetest name in all the world. Oh, Dariel, am I to call you
Dariel?" with the angelic Dariel! How I scorn and hate soft women! And they love
me not. All love and liking hath gone to the meek and milky Lesghian "Like you, Dariel! what a wretched word! Can you look at me, and fancy
it no more than that?" But she would not be taken at any disadvantage; and do anything, to be of service to Dariel. And for her own sake too, I
can tell you, for she is a most charming creature, though a little too knew nothing, except that here was Dariel. I feared to look direct, or
even glance as if I meant it, being now little more than a lump of Then, as sure as I am sitting here this day, the last thing that ever I
could have believed was done concerning me and to me. Dariel came, and I "Dariel," I exclaimed with amazement, having made up my mind that her
nature was all softness and all sweetness, "surely you would never wish
to be sure of anybody being hanged." As I looked at him, I could wonder no more that Dariel thought so little
of all other men compared with him. Here was a man, one might well But Dariel was of good strong faith, without which a woman deserves only
to be a man. She opened the gate, and let me in, so beautifully that I
was quite afraid. SÃ»r Imar received us with a loving smile. I thought that he had never
looked more grand. Dariel knelt to him, while I held her hand; and if I I told him briefly what had happened to myself. How after winning a
pledge for life from Dariel, and the approval of her father, I had been "Dariel, you may be quite sure of this," I replied, after taking my seat
upon a stone, over against the one she had chosen, but lower, so that I Dariel, who was as fit as a fiddle--how those low expressions spoil
one's most exalted moments!--saw with her ill-timed serenity the
Although he had managed to tell his tale, with failure of words, and
gasps for breath, and rolling of his eyes when the agony came back, poor Then I told Stepan our side of the story, with Strogue to make it clear
to him; and Usi, without whom we could have done nothing, recounted all
that he had seen, but scarcely spoke of his own woes. With some indignation he told his tale, and finished it before the other
men came back; for his tongue was as brisk as his arms and legs, which "I will tell you what it is," said Tom, after keeping his place among
the binders for about five minutes. "I am a thoroughgoing countryman, If any one has followed my little adventures only half as carefully as I
have tried to tell them, he will see that the time had now come and which I am telling you. Everything is exactly as it happened; and
according to some great authorities, we too are exactly as we happened. "I tell you what," he said, turning round and looking at me with
resolute authority, "I am your elder brother, George, and know more of and see Dariel do it." For she had told Jackson, and he in his lunacy
thought it too good to be kept to himself, that her brother George, if "She has had a nose, and as good a one as yours. It is the mere accident
of attrition. But here comes George! What can George want now? He knows She shook her head, and made a face, which enabled me to smile at the
superiority of his mind. "Well, then, I will tell you--there is a little "Well, Tom, my boy," I heard him say one day, for he was confidential to
others, as well as to himself, about himself, "you are not looking quite Strogue, and Cator, and myself, who might now be called the three
leaders, sat late into that night, discussing the story of this patient I listened to this, and it all seemed true, as beyond all doubt it ought
to be. And I went through everything so well that Grace (who was At the bottom of this very vague and disjointed, but as it proved
afterwards too true description, Signor Nicolo had written in pencil:
"Rosa is my eldest daughter; but I shall have to put a stop to it." tell him not the story of my life, as I have told it to you. It is a
thing I never speak of, without a special reason." "He places the little one on her back," the Bear-slayer told us, looking
at the floor, as if he were watching the domestic process; "and he makes "His life, it is gone?" Another sob stopped her voice, as she put her
little hand, where she thought his heart must be. "Yes, sir, I
understand English too well." "His people indeed! Well, if you can take it in that lofty spirit, you
may as well know everything. I was quite afraid of telling you. But men In recounting my little adventures--as I am begged sometimes to do--upon
coming to this particular part my general practice is to stop, as if I He stared at me so fiercely that I could scarce help laughing. Then he
laughed at himself, and said, "All right, by-and-by. You go and see if
came to the place where Dariel lived. merely because he has dared to look at Dariel. She, who takes so long to
see what I am, is not at all likely to be carried by storm by this and see Dariel do it." For she had told Jackson, and he in his lunacy
thought it too good to be kept to himself, that her brother George, if Dariel. Yielding to a sudden rush of jealousy, I had quitted her hastily
and almost rudely, and broken my appointment with her father. It was life to us. But Dariel knows that we must not think of our own comfort
only." As I looked at him, I could wonder no more that Dariel thought so little
of all other men compared with him. Here was a man, one might well knew nothing, except that here was Dariel. I feared to look direct, or
even glance as if I meant it, being now little more than a lump of At the end of the room which was nearest to me, and only a few yards
from the corner I had found, sat Dariel herself, with a purple cloak on, Then, as sure as I am sitting here this day, the last thing that ever I
could have believed was done concerning me and to me. Dariel came, and I by their loving sister and aunt, at a place appointed; and there they
must leave the great Dariel road, and be conducted by her to Karthlos,
with great rejoicing and affection kindled. But why were all these men DARIEL."




CHAPTER IX

STRANGE SENSATIONS mind. And in that prophecy it hit the mark, for who should meet me at a
winding of the path, but Dariel herself, no other? Dariel, my darling! "Dariel, you may be quite sure of this," I replied, after taking my seat
upon a stone, over against the one she had chosen, but lower, so that I is no doubt of that. And I dare not even mention the subject before him.
Even Dariel knows not a word about it." attach to her, and I have not told her of it. But I love your daughter,
Dariel." "Do you know what Dariel is?" Nicolo was smiling in a genial manner at
my levity. And then he said, to crush it in a truly British manner, "You must not call me that, sir. I am not of the French. I prefer the
English nation very greatly. There has only been one name given to me
by my father, and that is _Dariel_." "It is the sweetest name in all the world. Oh, Dariel, am I to call you
Dariel?" "Like you, Dariel! what a wretched word! Can you look at me, and fancy
it no more than that?" But she would not be taken at any disadvantage; Dariel, who was as fit as a fiddle--how those low expressions spoil
one's most exalted moments!--saw with her ill-timed serenity the
"No doubt of that," I replied, for that seems to be the duty of every
land; "I knew that SÃ»r Imar meant to go, and for years he has been CHAPTER XXVI

IMAR'S TALE--REVENGE CHAPTER XXIV

IMAR'S TALE--PEACE CHAPTER XXVII

IMAR'S TALE--EXILE have been, and will be again, while the world endures. From bodily
likeness you may reason more than from the greater things you cannot
see. I have never seen Imar close at hand; but they are both tall, Imar, my own brother, was gifted by Heaven with no sense of justice. He
was not content with robbing me, your dear mother, of my rightful share of open violence, or outrage upon travellers. He had heard of SÃ»r Imar,
as still the legitimate chief of an important tribe, for many years an CHAPTER XXII

IMAR'S TALE--WAR of Imar. Very likely she loved her husband all the more, without knowing
it herself, for his behaviour to her. Some women do, there is no justice, and good will, and love to those of our own kind, and hate of
all that wrong them. Even if SÃ»r Imar had not been the man he was, and "Then there came a man who was the noblest of all the sons of men to
look at that ever the red sun shone upon. Imar, the son of Dadian, Imar,--a Prince he is, whether he likes it not,--while on the other
hand, I may be guilty of his death, if I stand upon scruples. And that CHAPTER XXIII

IMAR'S TALE--LOVE "My dear friend," SÃ»r Imar said, when I tried to make him see it so,
"you were not born here, but I was; and that makes all the difference. I When the Prince Imar's tale was told, and I thought of all he had been
through, I could not find it in my heart, or even in good manners, to what did your uncle Imar do? You know, you have heard it a thousand
times; he slew your father in cold blood, taking mean advantage of keep his eye on SÃ»r Imar. He will have no trouble about that, the man
being so conspicuous. I shall know when Imar thinks of leaving, and then their own mountains. But I dared not go to Ushkul yet, and had forgotten
how to live without a rifle in my hands. Then Imar, the son of Dadian, all who heard of it shudder. Prince Imar was a most cheerful man, full
of life and spirit, even in the thick of blows and danger, when I had Stepan, Imar's milk-brother and most faithful friend. And I wished with
all my heart that he were there, or could even be advised of his lord's
return.
and see Dariel do it." For she had told Jackson, and he in his lunacy
thought it too good to be kept to himself, that her brother George, if and do anything, to be of service to Dariel. And for her own sake too, I
can tell you, for she is a most charming creature, though a little too "You must not call me that, sir. I am not of the French. I prefer the
English nation very greatly. There has only been one name given to me
by my father, and that is _Dariel_." by their loving sister and aunt, at a place appointed; and there they
must leave the great Dariel road, and be conducted by her to Karthlos,
with great rejoicing and affection kindled. But why were all these men "Be thankful that it is so, my friend. It will be my duty to prevent
their increase." Dariel's father smiled at his own words, with a sense life to us. But Dariel knows that we must not think of our own comfort
only." Then, as sure as I am sitting here this day, the last thing that ever I
could have believed was done concerning me and to me. Dariel came, and I pride, more perhaps than to my credit, their first question always is,
not "What became of you, George?" but "What became of Dariel?" And that
is more than I could tell for many a long day afterwards. merely because he has dared to look at Dariel. She, who takes so long to
see what I am, is not at all likely to be carried by storm by this Dariel. Yielding to a sudden rush of jealousy, I had quitted her hastily
and almost rudely, and broken my appointment with her father. It was attach to her, and I have not told her of it. But I love your daughter,
Dariel." At the end of the room which was nearest to me, and only a few yards
from the corner I had found, sat Dariel herself, with a purple cloak on, darling George, by the force of your own reasoning." But Dariel was of good strong faith, without which a woman deserves only
to be a man. She opened the gate, and let me in, so beautifully that I
was quite afraid. capable of any such horrible design. But the misery, agony, and anxiety
for the pure and innocent Dariel, and her father already so cruelly plenty of money. Why can't he stop here, and have the sweet Dariel
introduced at Court? There is a very great man indeed who would be only
too proud to manage it." "Because he knows why. And he gave me leave to say what you know
already. Oh, Dariel, what is the good of talking? You know all about it.
Ever since that blessed moment, when I first caught sight of you----" "It is the sweetest name in all the world. Oh, Dariel, am I to call you
Dariel?" is no doubt of that. And I dare not even mention the subject before him.
Even Dariel knows not a word about it." that his unknown sister glided past him and hurried to their unconscious
father. And truly it was a great mercy for me, as well as a glory to
this grand young fellow, that, instead of waiting longer where he was
"Valley of Retribution." From Usi's account, it was plain that Marva was
making a tribal revenge of it. Her brother would be tried and condemned Marva's scheme, except through me, and I have no proofs. It is all
suspicion, or inference from little slips of Hafer's and so on, and what course was to pay a visit to the Princess Marva, and try to get some
inkling of her plans. It was not very likely that a couple of clumsy "Marva is dead," I kept on saying; "the greatest woman of the age is
dead! Not the best, not the purest, not even a true woman. But how grand us to slay the wretch,' said Marva, with a glance of blackness, 'but
doth not forbid to make wolf's meat of him.' CHAPTER XLVI

QUEEN MARVA "But his own sister, his twin sister, the darling of his
childhood--Marva! How could all such wickedness go on without her
knowledge? It is impossible to imagine that she would allow it." refused him his daughter Marva. Instead of answering the letter
therefore in which he demanded his portion, I set forth with a few their clumsy fingers back, and went down on their knees with
superstition. But the Princess Marva drew near to me, and the butt of a Marva, who knew of her husband's falseness!" Prince Hafer intends to get our noble friend out there, marry his
daughter, and then shoot him, and combine that heritage with his own.
Ah, yes!" "What! Marva, the widow of Rakhan, that rascally Prince of the Ossets,
whom Imar very justly slew! So justly, that even he felt no compunction. and even her own babes, he became quite excited, and vowed that she must
have come to life again as the Princess Marva. Upon that I begged him to behind the corner, and left others to find out the loss. But it was not
very long unknown, for Marva was coming along the ravine upon her return And then again, even if they let it pass, the Lesghians, who are a very
loyal race, would never accept Marva's rule, when she had slain their their hearts and souls. And this black bear Queen Marva is. Princess Marva came, the widow of Rakhan Houseburner, and claimed the
command of everything. I would not rebel against the sister of the man I This upstart fellow brought the fighting men together; and they laid
aside the bodies of Queen Marva and her son, in fear of their being abandoned all hope by that time, as any but a woman must have done long
since, and there was no one to receive him. For Marva had sent her own Marva came forth in her majestic manner (having turned away her face,
perhaps with sisterly compunction), sweeping her black robe along the
Mr. Cranleigh. Not that her father is a Georgian though, he belongs to a
higher race, the Lesghians, and the highest tribe of the Lesghians. All George Cranleigh will join us." "Upon important business!" he said. "Ah, yes! Mr. George Cranleigh. Ah,
yes, ah, yes!" He was rather a handsome little man, about forty years "Poor George, what a fool he is making of himself! But no brother of
yours could ever be a fool. Forgive me: for the moment I was forgetting
the great mental powers of your family, Miss Cranleigh." "George Cranleigh, I have not known you long; but this I can say without
hesitation, and I should like to see any man deny it, you are the very
noblest fellow that ever--" "I am not an Executor at all, Sir Benjamin. And I am no Sir George, but
plain George Cranleigh. I am doing what little I can, at the request of "Mr. George Cranleigh, Mr. Jackson Stoneman aspires to the hand of Miss
Grace Cranleigh, daughter of Sir Harold Cranleigh, Bart. Is that grand "George Cranleigh, you may think what you like. I care not a rap what
anybody thinks. I love your sister Grace, as no man ever loved a woman,
or ever will." "It is not brave to torture anybody, Captain Strogue. But that is no
longer my business. My name is George Cranleigh, well known about here.
What I have done I would do again, and so would any other Englishman." "It is of my father and not of myself we are speaking, Mr. Cran-lee. And
you are surprised what reason I can have for--for inviting you to give "If you will be pleased to observe, Mr. Cranleigh"--Bessie had been at a
boarding-school--"my father's predictions are in manuscript of Mr. Cranleigh. He has very nearly made a diamond, and he came to me
about it. Upon my word, I thought at first that he had succeeded, until "Mr. Cranleigh! Is this Sir Harold Cranleigh's son?" the officer
enquired, and a very gentlemanlike expression, which had been dawning on "_Orla_, come and show your teeth," he said; "now, Mr. Cranleigh, his
teeth are the very similarity of his father's. That is the one that referring your chiefs to the Foreign Office. One word there would have
saved all this trouble. But now you shall understand this mighty secret;
and so shall Mr. Cranleigh, if he cares to know it." that I am very grateful. But I want to know this. I have heard a good
deal of the importance attached by the Cranleighs to their very old line," he said. "To think of the Cranleighs coming down to that. But you
don't sell milk by the quart now, do 'e?" "You attach much importance, I think, Mr. Cranleigh, to questions of
birth, and position in the county, and ancient family, and so on?" are not a millionaire, George Cranleigh. But I am a man of honour, sir.
Though not a swell, I am no sponge. And I have some chance of a good Cran-lee, you must not be in such error as to think that I have
curiosity. It is anxiety, and love of my dear father, which any one of
George Cranleigh will join us." "George Cranleigh, I have not known you long; but this I can say without
hesitation, and I should like to see any man deny it, you are the very
noblest fellow that ever--" "Upon important business!" he said. "Ah, yes! Mr. George Cranleigh. Ah,
yes, ah, yes!" He was rather a handsome little man, about forty years "Poor George, what a fool he is making of himself! But no brother of
yours could ever be a fool. Forgive me: for the moment I was forgetting
the great mental powers of your family, Miss Cranleigh." "I am not an Executor at all, Sir Benjamin. And I am no Sir George, but
plain George Cranleigh. I am doing what little I can, at the request of "George Cranleigh, you may think what you like. I care not a rap what
anybody thinks. I love your sister Grace, as no man ever loved a woman,
or ever will." Cranleigh, you remind me of him, at every turn." Mr. Cranleigh. Not that her father is a Georgian though, he belongs to a
higher race, the Lesghians, and the highest tribe of the Lesghians. All "It is not brave to torture anybody, Captain Strogue. But that is no
longer my business. My name is George Cranleigh, well known about here.
What I have done I would do again, and so would any other Englishman." "Mr. George Cranleigh, Mr. Jackson Stoneman aspires to the hand of Miss
Grace Cranleigh, daughter of Sir Harold Cranleigh, Bart. Is that grand Mr. Cranleigh. He has very nearly made a diamond, and he came to me
about it. Upon my word, I thought at first that he had succeeded, until line," he said. "To think of the Cranleighs coming down to that. But you
don't sell milk by the quart now, do 'e?" "A pretty description of your native land! It is the air of this
country, Mr. Cranleigh. My daughter has breathed it so long that she I sum up the merits thus, George Cranleigh. You had no right to begin;
but when you had begun, I am blowed if I can see how you could help brings to her. Mr. Cranleigh says he would like best to hear you in your
own language, dear; though he won't understand a word of it. That doings. The young Earl of Melladew was staying at the "Bell,"--which
used to be called the "Cranleigh Arms," until we went down in the are not a millionaire, George Cranleigh. But I am a man of honour, sir.
Though not a swell, I am no sponge. And I have some chance of a good that I am very grateful. But I want to know this. I have heard a good
deal of the importance attached by the Cranleighs to their very old "Cranleigh, you can go," said Strogue, for his manners were not perfect;
"you are involved in this little shindy, and you want to know all about owner, and loving them, makes allowance for the like in others. Bless
your heart, Cranleigh, I like people well enough; but I despise them,
and wretched home--there was only my baby Dariel left, to link me to
this altered world. Marva was gone back to her Osset tower, and it "But his own sister, his twin sister, the darling of his
childhood--Marva! How could all such wickedness go on without her
knowledge? It is impossible to imagine that she would allow it." attach to her, and I have not told her of it. But I love your daughter,
Dariel." merely because he has dared to look at Dariel. She, who takes so long to
see what I am, is not at all likely to be carried by storm by this "It is the sweetest name in all the world. Oh, Dariel, am I to call you
Dariel?" and do anything, to be of service to Dariel. And for her own sake too, I
can tell you, for she is a most charming creature, though a little too Dariel. Yielding to a sudden rush of jealousy, I had quitted her hastily
and almost rudely, and broken my appointment with her father. It was and see Dariel do it." For she had told Jackson, and he in his lunacy
thought it too good to be kept to himself, that her brother George, if life to us. But Dariel knows that we must not think of our own comfort
only." "Like you, Dariel! what a wretched word! Can you look at me, and fancy
it no more than that?" But she would not be taken at any disadvantage; is no doubt of that. And I dare not even mention the subject before him.
Even Dariel knows not a word about it." CHAPTER XLVI

QUEEN MARVA knew nothing, except that here was Dariel. I feared to look direct, or
even glance as if I meant it, being now little more than a lump of "What can make you ask me such a thing?" she answered, and I said,
"Don't you know, Dariel?" And she drew back, and whispered, "I will
try--if my father has no objection." Then, as sure as I am sitting here this day, the last thing that ever I
could have believed was done concerning me and to me. Dariel came, and I they might mean to Dariel. One most unlucky reference too would quench
any doubt she might try to cherish. In my brief account of that sad Dariel, who was as fit as a fiddle--how those low expressions spoil
one's most exalted moments!--saw with her ill-timed serenity the "Marva, twin-sister of mine, and in childhood dearer than my little self
to me, had defied all authority; and when that did not avail, had At the end of the room which was nearest to me, and only a few yards
from the corner I had found, sat Dariel herself, with a purple cloak on, "Well, perhaps I shall, when you have done it. But not till then, my
Dariel. And I think that Dariel owes me something for her compliment to
my intellect."
and see Dariel do it." For she had told Jackson, and he in his lunacy
thought it too good to be kept to himself, that her brother George, if SÃ»r Imar received us with a loving smile. I thought that he had never
looked more grand. Dariel knelt to him, while I held her hand; and if I CHAPTER XXVI

IMAR'S TALE--REVENGE For this young fellow, Prince Origen, the son of Imar and Oria, the
child who escaped by his fall into the drift (when Marva's genuine Hafer CHAPTER XXIV

IMAR'S TALE--PEACE all who heard of it shudder. Prince Imar was a most cheerful man, full
of life and spirit, even in the thick of blows and danger, when I had CHAPTER XXIII

IMAR'S TALE--LOVE thrust back, and then drew his own, and flew with it at the shackled
Imar's heart. But another was there--thank the Lord in heaven--I caught Imar. This man knew me, and told the Queen who I was; and but for the
holy time she would have crucified me then and there. 'Religion forbids frisking on their little legs among the treacherous snow-drift. And then
we saw the rocky elbow of the dark ravine where Imar's father Dadian by their loving sister and aunt, at a place appointed; and there they
must leave the great Dariel road, and be conducted by her to Karthlos,
with great rejoicing and affection kindled. But why were all these men deep one. It is a lucky thing for Imar that she sent Hafer, instead of
coming to manage the whole affair herself." Suddenly a glow of deep amazement shone in Imar's haggard eyes. With a
wrench of his mighty frame he shook the steel bar like a ribbon, the Then, as sure as I am sitting here this day, the last thing that ever I
could have believed was done concerning me and to me. Dariel came, and I Stepan, Imar's milk-brother and most faithful friend. And I wished with
all my heart that he were there, or could even be advised of his lord's
return. stronger and stronger with these good things here." SÃ»r Imar, who had
risen from behind a curtain, pointed to a table which was laden with and do anything, to be of service to Dariel. And for her own sake too, I
can tell you, for she is a most charming creature, though a little too "It is impossible for them to be too black," Strogue replied with an
ominous smile. "SÃ»r Imar's life is not worth the lump of sugar melting CHAPTER XXII

IMAR'S TALE--WAR their own mountains. But I dared not go to Ushkul yet, and had forgotten
how to live without a rifle in my hands. Then Imar, the son of Dadian,
by SÃ»r Imar's men in England. "Is that all?" he inquired at last; and
Strogue replied, "Yes; and to me it seems enough." The Lesghian dipped SÃ»r Imar received us with a loving smile. I thought that he had never
looked more grand. Dariel knelt to him, while I held her hand; and if I "For some little time," SÃ»r Imar answered, with one of his most majestic
bows, "I have looked forward to this pleasure; but until this morning I be treated thus. And I was strongly attached to SÃ»r Imar." SÃ»r Imar at a distance only, his friend's account left him in no doubt
whatever that the pair he had been so vainly seeking, by letters to half Hisar came forth from the inner room, so fateful to SÃ»r Imar, and for
once his surly face looked bright. Since his return he had thought scorn "SÃ»r Imar, I must not come here under false pretences. The fact is
simply this, and I wish to tell you first, for no blame can possibly "No doubt of that," I replied, for that seems to be the duty of every
land; "I knew that SÃ»r Imar meant to go, and for years he has been Fearing that SÃ»r Imar might suppose me to be careless, and having
recovered my self-command in right of much moralising, I entered by the "My dear friend," SÃ»r Imar said, when I tried to make him see it so,
"you were not born here, but I was; and that makes all the difference. I "Imar is an exceedingly fine chap," he said, as he lit a long clay pipe,
after a dinner which impressed me with the truth that the more a man upon poor SÃ»r Imar's death. I see it all now with the help of what you
tell me. I took it in quite another light before. There is one thing of Imar. Very likely she loved her husband all the more, without knowing
it herself, for his behaviour to her. Some women do, there is no surprised, as much as any man acquainted with him could be surprised,
when he took me aside one day and said: 'SÃ»r Imar, I have an important Great as my reverence was for SÃ»r Imar, it was difficult not to suspect
that some adverse influence had been at work with him. Hitherto he had corner, and is apt to be superseded after six or seven years. And she
might have other motives too for getting Imar's heir into her
possession." Imar. This man knew me, and told the Queen who I was; and but for the
holy time she would have crucified me then and there. 'Religion forbids keep his eye on SÃ»r Imar. He will have no trouble about that, the man
being so conspicuous. I shall know when Imar thinks of leaving, and then lover of SÃ»r Imar also, and a worshipper of womankind. But if his
courage abide not with him to go down into the place of death, there is justice, and good will, and love to those of our own kind, and hate of
all that wrong them. Even if SÃ»r Imar had not been the man he was, and
refused him his daughter Marva. Instead of answering the letter
therefore in which he demanded his portion, I set forth with a few Prince Hafer intends to get our noble friend out there, marry his
daughter, and then shoot him, and combine that heritage with his own.
Ah, yes!" Marva's scheme, except through me, and I have no proofs. It is all
suspicion, or inference from little slips of Hafer's and so on, and what and even her own babes, he became quite excited, and vowed that she must
have come to life again as the Princess Marva. Upon that I begged him to that of his mother Marva. In his urgency to get them back straightway to
the land of the mountain without the flood, he has sent them round by course was to pay a visit to the Princess Marva, and try to get some
inkling of her plans. It was not very likely that a couple of clumsy CHAPTER XLVI

QUEEN MARVA "But his own sister, his twin sister, the darling of his
childhood--Marva! How could all such wickedness go on without her
knowledge? It is impossible to imagine that she would allow it." "Valley of Retribution." From Usi's account, it was plain that Marva was
making a tribal revenge of it. Her brother would be tried and condemned their clumsy fingers back, and went down on their knees with
superstition. But the Princess Marva drew near to me, and the butt of a father, I will deliver to you all the portion of my sister Marva, and
add thereto my own present to her, and acknowledge you as a brother.' cousin, about whom I had heard so much, and of whom I had seen too much
already. Was he the son of that terrible woman, Marva--SÃ»r Imar's This upstart fellow brought the fighting men together; and they laid
aside the bodies of Queen Marva and her son, in fear of their being Marva, who knew of her husband's falseness!" with us. We had lost our mother before we knew her; and Marva and
myself, twin children, had been sent from home, we could not tell when, "She sent her son to England for that very purpose," Mr. Nickols
replied, in a tone of deep conviction. "It may not sound sisterly; but "What! Marva, the widow of Rakhan, that rascally Prince of the Ossets,
whom Imar very justly slew! So justly, that even he felt no compunction. remained but to make her own son the heir,--for he was born in wedlock,
though not of it,--marry him to the Lesghian heiress, and herself enjoy As to the other man, although he had not presented himself distinctly,
what other could he be than Hafer, the son of Imar's sister Marva, and looks forward to his need of marriage may come to the cradle and hang
his own bullet around the neck of the infant, and from that time she is
and see Dariel do it." For she had told Jackson, and he in his lunacy
thought it too good to be kept to himself, that her brother George, if came to the place where Dariel lived. merely because he has dared to look at Dariel. She, who takes so long to
see what I am, is not at all likely to be carried by storm by this pride, more perhaps than to my credit, their first question always is,
not "What became of you, George?" but "What became of Dariel?" And that
is more than I could tell for many a long day afterwards. At the end of the room which was nearest to me, and only a few yards
from the corner I had found, sat Dariel herself, with a purple cloak on, of the Caucasus are not much addicted to travel, the Captain began to
enquire into this, and although he had never met Dariel, and had seen mind. And in that prophecy it hit the mark, for who should meet me at a
winding of the path, but Dariel herself, no other? Dariel, my darling! plenty of money. Why can't he stop here, and have the sweet Dariel
introduced at Court? There is a very great man indeed who would be only
too proud to manage it." knew nothing, except that here was Dariel. I feared to look direct, or
even glance as if I meant it, being now little more than a lump of "In every word that you have said, my dear. But when our George, without
asking his mother, goes out of his way to make strange acquaintance, and
people who pretend to look down upon us----" DARIEL."




CHAPTER IX

STRANGE SENSATIONS Dariel. Yielding to a sudden rush of jealousy, I had quitted her hastily
and almost rudely, and broken my appointment with her father. It was curiosity, and what was infinitely more than that, upon everything
connected with Dariel, I rode home that night in a glow of excitement,
tempered at intervals with nervous dread. For I might hear things that "What we have heard from George is not altogether what I expected.
Everybody knows, though he seems to imagine that nobody ever dreamed of
it, that he had found some attraction among those very strange people "You must not call me that, sir. I am not of the French. I prefer the
English nation very greatly. There has only been one name given to me
by my father, and that is _Dariel_." by their loving sister and aunt, at a place appointed; and there they
must leave the great Dariel road, and be conducted by her to Karthlos,
with great rejoicing and affection kindled. But why were all these men "It is the sweetest name in all the world. Oh, Dariel, am I to call you
Dariel?" "Like you, Dariel! what a wretched word! Can you look at me, and fancy
it no more than that?" But she would not be taken at any disadvantage; "Dariel, you may be quite sure of this," I replied, after taking my seat
upon a stone, over against the one she had chosen, but lower, so that I darling George, by the force of your own reasoning."
CHAPTER XLVI

QUEEN MARVA their hearts and souls. And this black bear Queen Marva is. Princess Marva came, the widow of Rakhan Houseburner, and claimed the
command of everything. I would not rebel against the sister of the man I dwellings from robbery, for the short time he governed at Karthlos. It
was said, moreover, that Queen Marva, as she loved to hear herself
called, would now have no chance of holding fast her manifold This upstart fellow brought the fighting men together; and they laid
aside the bodies of Queen Marva and her son, in fear of their being "Thou art not fit to govern men," the Princess Marva looked at Hisar
with a smile of mild contempt, which would have been anything but mild "Marva is dead," I kept on saying; "the greatest woman of the age is
dead! Not the best, not the purest, not even a true woman. But how grand their clumsy fingers back, and went down on their knees with
superstition. But the Princess Marva drew near to me, and the butt of a and even her own babes, he became quite excited, and vowed that she must
have come to life again as the Princess Marva. Upon that I begged him to "What! Marva, the widow of Rakhan, that rascally Prince of the Ossets,
whom Imar very justly slew! So justly, that even he felt no compunction. I came back to myself through necessity of lying to Queen Marva. And then again, even if they let it pass, the Lesghians, who are a very
loyal race, would never accept Marva's rule, when she had slain their course was to pay a visit to the Princess Marva, and try to get some
inkling of her plans. It was not very likely that a couple of clumsy that of his mother Marva. In his urgency to get them back straightway to
the land of the mountain without the flood, he has sent them round by Marva came forth in her majestic manner (having turned away her face,
perhaps with sisterly compunction), sweeping her black robe along the refused him his daughter Marva. Instead of answering the letter
therefore in which he demanded his portion, I set forth with a few "Valley of Retribution." From Usi's account, it was plain that Marva was
making a tribal revenge of it. Her brother would be tried and condemned Marva, who knew of her husband's falseness!" Then we asked him about the Princess Marva, and he smiled mysteriously.
"We don't talk of her so freely," he said, as Strogue still pressed him. men of Queen Marva's bodyguard, whom she had chosen from all the tribe;
even as the great Imaum had riders of the Avar race continually faithful
Imar,--a Prince he is, whether he likes it not,--while on the other
hand, I may be guilty of his death, if I stand upon scruples. And that SÃ»r Imar received us with a loving smile. I thought that he had never
looked more grand. Dariel knelt to him, while I held her hand; and if I all who heard of it shudder. Prince Imar was a most cheerful man, full
of life and spirit, even in the thick of blows and danger, when I had "No. I have a much stronger argument than that. No one could imagine for
a moment that SÃ»r Imar, the most benevolent man on earth, could be the When the Prince Imar's tale was told, and I thought of all he had been
through, I could not find it in my heart, or even in good manners, to "You forget one thing, Captain Strogue," I interrupted, for this view of
the Princess did not tally well with SÃ»r Imar's own account. "She pitied by SÃ»r Imar's men in England. "Is that all?" he inquired at last; and
Strogue replied, "Yes; and to me it seems enough." The Lesghian dipped For this young fellow, Prince Origen, the son of Imar and Oria, the
child who escaped by his fall into the drift (when Marva's genuine Hafer "What! Marva, the widow of Rakhan, that rascally Prince of the Ossets,
whom Imar very justly slew! So justly, that even he felt no compunction. of open violence, or outrage upon travellers. He had heard of SÃ»r Imar,
as still the legitimate chief of an important tribe, for many years an "For some little time," SÃ»r Imar answered, with one of his most majestic
bows, "I have looked forward to this pleasure; but until this morning I "'Young Imar, the son of Dadian. The Russians have slain thy father in
cold blood. Thou art now the Chief of the Kheusurs. Thou art not of "Oh, SÃ»r Imar," I exclaimed with great surprise, "the largest and
noblest of all the Angels, if he got the whip-hand of a Railway Company, sign of the Princess, eager to embrace her kindred? Loving SÃ»r Imar as I
did, I resolved to go on, and understand these things. "Imar is an exceedingly fine chap," he said, as he lit a long clay pipe,
after a dinner which impressed me with the truth that the more a man justice, and good will, and love to those of our own kind, and hate of
all that wrong them. Even if SÃ»r Imar had not been the man he was, and be treated thus. And I was strongly attached to SÃ»r Imar." upon poor SÃ»r Imar's death. I see it all now with the help of what you
tell me. I took it in quite another light before. There is one thing Hisar came forth from the inner room, so fateful to SÃ»r Imar, and for
once his surly face looked bright. Since his return he had thought scorn stronger and stronger with these good things here." SÃ»r Imar, who had
risen from behind a curtain, pointed to a table which was laden with
Our family, one of the oldest in Surrey, and of Saxon lineage, requiring
no mixed Norman blood of outsea cutthroats to better it, had always kept SÃ»r Imar at a distance only, his friend's account left him in no doubt
whatever that the pair he had been so vainly seeking, by letters to half SÃ»r Imar sat down, while I went to see them off; and outside the upper
door they gave three cheers. "Wonderful old chap! Grand old cock!" the SÃ»r Imar received us with a loving smile. I thought that he had never
looked more grand. Dariel knelt to him, while I held her hand; and if I by SÃ»r Imar's men in England. "Is that all?" he inquired at last; and
Strogue replied, "Yes; and to me it seems enough." The Lesghian dipped Surrey, after a long but vain attempt to do a little business for my
father. For we were not, as we used to be, people of wealth and large nigher. SÃ»r Imar, this is all the Lord hath left thee for thy home and
heart. Gather thy life up, for her sake.' Hisar came forth from the inner room, so fateful to SÃ»r Imar, and for
once his surly face looked bright. Since his return he had thought scorn That evening, when I entered SÃ»r Imar's room, after leaving his daughter
among her birds, the first thing I did was to watch him very keenly for Certainly it could not in Surrey or in Kent; but here in the Caucasus it
proved that it could go on, long enough at any rate to bury all the "Imar is an exceedingly fine chap," he said, as he lit a long clay pipe,
after a dinner which impressed me with the truth that the more a man [Illustration: "_SÃ»r Imar received us with a loving smile._"]

"So be it," he said, as he kissed her forehead; "may the Lord bless both
my children." of the great mountains. All had been settled that SÃ»r Imar and his
daughter should come from Vladikaukaz in a hired troika, and be received "My dear friend," SÃ»r Imar said, when I tried to make him see it so,
"you were not born here, but I was; and that makes all the difference. I I led his beautiful daughter back to SÃ»r Imar, and I said--"You see."

"Yes, I see," he answered softly. "And there is no more to be said." I saw SÃ»r Imar's noble face, as calm as when he smiled on me, and
blessed me with his daughter. His hands were roped behind his back, his at least three centuries, to be robbed by private folly of the little
the public mania has left him. I know the climate of Surrey pretty well, "For some little time," SÃ»r Imar answered, with one of his most majestic
bows, "I have looked forward to this pleasure; but until this morning I upon poor SÃ»r Imar's death. I see it all now with the help of what you
tell me. I took it in quite another light before. There is one thing Surrey first. As an old County family, that is our duty. There is some
low typhoid in the valleys still. Run and fetch my trunk, George. It is
"No doubt of that," I replied, for that seems to be the duty of every
land; "I knew that SÃ»r Imar meant to go, and for years he has been CHAPTER XXVII

IMAR'S TALE--EXILE of Imar. Very likely she loved her husband all the more, without knowing
it herself, for his behaviour to her. Some women do, there is no "My dear friend," SÃ»r Imar said, when I tried to make him see it so,
"you were not born here, but I was; and that makes all the difference. I have been, and will be again, while the world endures. From bodily
likeness you may reason more than from the greater things you cannot
see. I have never seen Imar close at hand; but they are both tall, happened to be at home. For he had taken his holiday, and was come back;
and so far as one could judge him by his looks and walk, he found
himself better suited in his native land than elsewhere. CHAPTER XXVI

IMAR'S TALE--REVENGE CHAPTER XXIV

IMAR'S TALE--PEACE their own mountains. But I dared not go to Ushkul yet, and had forgotten
how to live without a rifle in my hands. Then Imar, the son of Dadian, Imar, my own brother, was gifted by Heaven with no sense of justice. He
was not content with robbing me, your dear mother, of my rightful share "Not a bit," I answered, with a smile of modest triumph; "you despise
mankind, because you think they are like you. SÃ»r Imar loves them,
because he thinks they are like him!" When the Prince Imar's tale was told, and I thought of all he had been
through, I could not find it in my heart, or even in good manners, to "Imar is an exceedingly fine chap," he said, as he lit a long clay pipe,
after a dinner which impressed me with the truth that the more a man CHAPTER XXIII

IMAR'S TALE--LOVE Imar,--a Prince he is, whether he likes it not,--while on the other
hand, I may be guilty of his death, if I stand upon scruples. And that nigher. SÃ»r Imar, this is all the Lord hath left thee for thy home and
heart. Gather thy life up, for her sake.' justice, and good will, and love to those of our own kind, and hate of
all that wrong them. Even if SÃ»r Imar had not been the man he was, and keep his eye on SÃ»r Imar. He will have no trouble about that, the man
being so conspicuous. I shall know when Imar thinks of leaving, and then sign of the Princess, eager to embrace her kindred? Loving SÃ»r Imar as I
did, I resolved to go on, and understand these things. lover of SÃ»r Imar also, and a worshipper of womankind. But if his
courage abide not with him to go down into the place of death, there is
Mr. Cranleigh. Not that her father is a Georgian though, he belongs to a
higher race, the Lesghians, and the highest tribe of the Lesghians. All George Cranleigh will join us." "Upon important business!" he said. "Ah, yes! Mr. George Cranleigh. Ah,
yes, ah, yes!" He was rather a handsome little man, about forty years "Poor George, what a fool he is making of himself! But no brother of
yours could ever be a fool. Forgive me: for the moment I was forgetting
the great mental powers of your family, Miss Cranleigh." "George Cranleigh, I have not known you long; but this I can say without
hesitation, and I should like to see any man deny it, you are the very
noblest fellow that ever--" "I am not an Executor at all, Sir Benjamin. And I am no Sir George, but
plain George Cranleigh. I am doing what little I can, at the request of "Mr. George Cranleigh, Mr. Jackson Stoneman aspires to the hand of Miss
Grace Cranleigh, daughter of Sir Harold Cranleigh, Bart. Is that grand "George Cranleigh, you may think what you like. I care not a rap what
anybody thinks. I love your sister Grace, as no man ever loved a woman,
or ever will." "It is not brave to torture anybody, Captain Strogue. But that is no
longer my business. My name is George Cranleigh, well known about here.
What I have done I would do again, and so would any other Englishman." "It is of my father and not of myself we are speaking, Mr. Cran-lee. And
you are surprised what reason I can have for--for inviting you to give "If you will be pleased to observe, Mr. Cranleigh"--Bessie had been at a
boarding-school--"my father's predictions are in manuscript of Mr. Cranleigh. He has very nearly made a diamond, and he came to me
about it. Upon my word, I thought at first that he had succeeded, until "Mr. Cranleigh! Is this Sir Harold Cranleigh's son?" the officer
enquired, and a very gentlemanlike expression, which had been dawning on "_Orla_, come and show your teeth," he said; "now, Mr. Cranleigh, his
teeth are the very similarity of his father's. That is the one that referring your chiefs to the Foreign Office. One word there would have
saved all this trouble. But now you shall understand this mighty secret;
and so shall Mr. Cranleigh, if he cares to know it." that I am very grateful. But I want to know this. I have heard a good
deal of the importance attached by the Cranleighs to their very old line," he said. "To think of the Cranleighs coming down to that. But you
don't sell milk by the quart now, do 'e?" "You attach much importance, I think, Mr. Cranleigh, to questions of
birth, and position in the county, and ancient family, and so on?" are not a millionaire, George Cranleigh. But I am a man of honour, sir.
Though not a swell, I am no sponge. And I have some chance of a good Cran-lee, you must not be in such error as to think that I have
curiosity. It is anxiety, and love of my dear father, which any one of
George Cranleigh will join us." "George Cranleigh, I have not known you long; but this I can say without
hesitation, and I should like to see any man deny it, you are the very
noblest fellow that ever--" "Upon important business!" he said. "Ah, yes! Mr. George Cranleigh. Ah,
yes, ah, yes!" He was rather a handsome little man, about forty years "Poor George, what a fool he is making of himself! But no brother of
yours could ever be a fool. Forgive me: for the moment I was forgetting
the great mental powers of your family, Miss Cranleigh." "I am not an Executor at all, Sir Benjamin. And I am no Sir George, but
plain George Cranleigh. I am doing what little I can, at the request of "George Cranleigh, you may think what you like. I care not a rap what
anybody thinks. I love your sister Grace, as no man ever loved a woman,
or ever will." "It is not brave to torture anybody, Captain Strogue. But that is no
longer my business. My name is George Cranleigh, well known about here.
What I have done I would do again, and so would any other Englishman." Mr. Cranleigh. Not that her father is a Georgian though, he belongs to a
higher race, the Lesghians, and the highest tribe of the Lesghians. All "Mr. George Cranleigh, Mr. Jackson Stoneman aspires to the hand of Miss
Grace Cranleigh, daughter of Sir Harold Cranleigh, Bart. Is that grand Cranleigh, you remind me of him, at every turn." Mr. Cranleigh. He has very nearly made a diamond, and he came to me
about it. Upon my word, I thought at first that he had succeeded, until doings. The young Earl of Melladew was staying at the "Bell,"--which
used to be called the "Cranleigh Arms," until we went down in the are not a millionaire, George Cranleigh. But I am a man of honour, sir.
Though not a swell, I am no sponge. And I have some chance of a good "A pretty description of your native land! It is the air of this
country, Mr. Cranleigh. My daughter has breathed it so long that she "Cranleigh, you can go," said Strogue, for his manners were not perfect;
"you are involved in this little shindy, and you want to know all about line," he said. "To think of the Cranleighs coming down to that. But you
don't sell milk by the quart now, do 'e?" I sum up the merits thus, George Cranleigh. You had no right to begin;
but when you had begun, I am blowed if I can see how you could help "You attach much importance, I think, Mr. Cranleigh, to questions of
birth, and position in the county, and ancient family, and so on?" owner, and loving them, makes allowance for the like in others. Bless
your heart, Cranleigh, I like people well enough; but I despise them, referring your chiefs to the Foreign Office. One word there would have
saved all this trouble. But now you shall understand this mighty secret;
and so shall Mr. Cranleigh, if he cares to know it."
and see Dariel do it." For she had told Jackson, and he in his lunacy
thought it too good to be kept to himself, that her brother George, if pride, more perhaps than to my credit, their first question always is,
not "What became of you, George?" but "What became of Dariel?" And that
is more than I could tell for many a long day afterwards. knew nothing, except that here was Dariel. I feared to look direct, or
even glance as if I meant it, being now little more than a lump of merely because he has dared to look at Dariel. She, who takes so long to
see what I am, is not at all likely to be carried by storm by this "It is the sweetest name in all the world. Oh, Dariel, am I to call you
Dariel?" Dariel. Yielding to a sudden rush of jealousy, I had quitted her hastily
and almost rudely, and broken my appointment with her father. It was mind. And in that prophecy it hit the mark, for who should meet me at a
winding of the path, but Dariel herself, no other? Dariel, my darling! DARIEL."




CHAPTER IX

STRANGE SENSATIONS of the Caucasus are not much addicted to travel, the Captain began to
enquire into this, and although he had never met Dariel, and had seen "You must not call me that, sir. I am not of the French. I prefer the
English nation very greatly. There has only been one name given to me
by my father, and that is _Dariel_." came to the place where Dariel lived. attach to her, and I have not told her of it. But I love your daughter,
Dariel." "Because he knows why. And he gave me leave to say what you know
already. Oh, Dariel, what is the good of talking? You know all about it.
Ever since that blessed moment, when I first caught sight of you----" "Like you, Dariel! what a wretched word! Can you look at me, and fancy
it no more than that?" But she would not be taken at any disadvantage; curiosity, and what was infinitely more than that, upon everything
connected with Dariel, I rode home that night in a glow of excitement,
tempered at intervals with nervous dread. For I might hear things that Then, as sure as I am sitting here this day, the last thing that ever I
could have believed was done concerning me and to me. Dariel came, and I "No, there was not any Dariel yet. But there was a fine little chap,
about a year old, and how well he could run! I have had him on my lap, "Then they are fools, and I'll do it for them for ever. But oh, if I
could only make you see for a moment how I love you! Don't laugh at me,
Dariel. Don't do that." thought it very fine, until I met my Dariel. But now I felt disgusted
with him, and his Loo of Â£20,000 and all that snobbish frippery about show him Dariel's letter. And he did not ask for it; with all his
bluffness, at heart he was a gentleman.
But the Lesghians, with whom we have most to do, and who claim us as of
their affinity, still are of Islam, and mainly of that bigoted and Ossets, who are next-door neighbours to these Lesghians, when they have
any door at all, I mean. I won't pretend to know much about him, but of the tribes belonging to the Lesghian race. The great warrior Shamyl,
who contended so long against all the armies of Russia, was of the preach in the Caucasus. Although he was not sure of that tradition, the
Lesghian chief attached no small importance to this heirloom, and was "So I have been told on every side," the Lesghian chief replied with
calm decision; "but I waited for you to confirm it, George. I perceive his people. Great joy was spread among the Lesghians; but the Ossets
went against the thought, because he had too much strength of law, and
had grievously wronged them of the many goods flowing in to their The Lesghian stared at me, and stroked his beard, and shook his head
angrily, as if he had found it empty. "Stepan fool. No say, no say," he pities and sucks up to. But I can tell you that the Lesghian old man, as
the idiots would call him at forty-five, may defy a Polish Jew to cheat lower, the Moslem division of the ancient Lesghian race, which is of the
first origin of mankind, and has kept itself lofty as the mountains. IMAR, the Lesghian. Lesghian chief, who was banished by the Russians, is now returning to
his country, and may claim his rights over that desolate spot, and
finally establish them. In that case our lease from your Serene Highness tongue, for which he has a talent not granted to his daughter. But above
all, he loves his own Lesghian words; and the rest of his life, if he not come here with the audacity to think that your Highness would help
us in a private matter which does not concern your authority. But we
know that this Lesghian chief, although he was compelled to side with Lesghian Chief, or a Lesghian lady even more adorable. And as for
Strogue his main object was less to rescue SÃ»r Imar, than to wreak his history of the Lesghian Chief, which was much more than the first
promise I received. Knowing that now I should have full light thrown
upon all the strange things which had so long engaged my attention and "Hearken to me, and I will use few words," said the loyal Lesghian
slowly, with Strogue explaining for my benefit; "I am getting old, and I The chief was now in full Lesghian dress, a very magnificent affair to
look at, stately, and graceful, and impressive; but he proved himself when the Lesghian chief brought their Prince Rakhan to account. And so
it would have been, by their own confession, but for the ferocity of one a young Lesghian of better courage ready to encounter it. But he is not
well skilled in fire-arms. With wisdom have I spoken, as befits a son of
Shamyl." all. My daughter has been brought up in England mainly, and resembles in
many points an English young lady, rather than a Lesghian; but----"
by SÃ»r Imar's men in England. "Is that all?" he inquired at last; and
Strogue replied, "Yes; and to me it seems enough." The Lesghian dipped be treated thus. And I was strongly attached to SÃ»r Imar." SÃ»r Imar sat down, while I went to see them off; and outside the upper
door they gave three cheers. "Wonderful old chap! Grand old cock!" the SÃ»r Imar at a distance only, his friend's account left him in no doubt
whatever that the pair he had been so vainly seeking, by letters to half master by arrangement. I knew that SÃ»r Imar had long been preparing to
move, when his period of banishment expired, but I was sure that he had "My dear friend," SÃ»r Imar said, when I tried to make him see it so,
"you were not born here, but I was; and that makes all the difference. I "No doubt of that," I replied, for that seems to be the duty of every
land; "I knew that SÃ»r Imar meant to go, and for years he has been of Imar. Very likely she loved her husband all the more, without knowing
it herself, for his behaviour to her. Some women do, there is no SÃ»r Imar received us with a loving smile. I thought that he had never
looked more grand. Dariel knelt to him, while I held her hand; and if I Fearing that SÃ»r Imar might suppose me to be careless, and having
recovered my self-command in right of much moralising, I entered by the lover of SÃ»r Imar also, and a worshipper of womankind. But if his
courage abide not with him to go down into the place of death, there is Great as my reverence was for SÃ»r Imar, it was difficult not to suspect
that some adverse influence had been at work with him. Hitherto he had "Imar is an exceedingly fine chap," he said, as he lit a long clay pipe,
after a dinner which impressed me with the truth that the more a man Hisar came forth from the inner room, so fateful to SÃ»r Imar, and for
once his surly face looked bright. Since his return he had thought scorn "For some little time," SÃ»r Imar answered, with one of his most majestic
bows, "I have looked forward to this pleasure; but until this morning I surprised, as much as any man acquainted with him could be surprised,
when he took me aside one day and said: 'SÃ»r Imar, I have an important keep his eye on SÃ»r Imar. He will have no trouble about that, the man
being so conspicuous. I shall know when Imar thinks of leaving, and then upon poor SÃ»r Imar's death. I see it all now with the help of what you
tell me. I took it in quite another light before. There is one thing corner, and is apt to be superseded after six or seven years. And she
might have other motives too for getting Imar's heir into her
possession." justice, and good will, and love to those of our own kind, and hate of
all that wrong them. Even if SÃ»r Imar had not been the man he was, and
"No doubt of that," I replied, for that seems to be the duty of every
land; "I knew that SÃ»r Imar meant to go, and for years he has been of Imar. Very likely she loved her husband all the more, without knowing
it herself, for his behaviour to her. Some women do, there is no happened to be at home. For he had taken his holiday, and was come back;
and so far as one could judge him by his looks and walk, he found
himself better suited in his native land than elsewhere. CHAPTER XXVII

IMAR'S TALE--EXILE CHAPTER XXVI

IMAR'S TALE--REVENGE CHAPTER XXIV

IMAR'S TALE--PEACE "My dear friend," SÃ»r Imar said, when I tried to make him see it so,
"you were not born here, but I was; and that makes all the difference. I have been, and will be again, while the world endures. From bodily
likeness you may reason more than from the greater things you cannot
see. I have never seen Imar close at hand; but they are both tall, Imar, my own brother, was gifted by Heaven with no sense of justice. He
was not content with robbing me, your dear mother, of my rightful share When the Prince Imar's tale was told, and I thought of all he had been
through, I could not find it in my heart, or even in good manners, to their own mountains. But I dared not go to Ushkul yet, and had forgotten
how to live without a rifle in my hands. Then Imar, the son of Dadian, of open violence, or outrage upon travellers. He had heard of SÃ»r Imar,
as still the legitimate chief of an important tribe, for many years an justice, and good will, and love to those of our own kind, and hate of
all that wrong them. Even if SÃ»r Imar had not been the man he was, and CHAPTER XXIII

IMAR'S TALE--LOVE all who heard of it shudder. Prince Imar was a most cheerful man, full
of life and spirit, even in the thick of blows and danger, when I had "Imar is an exceedingly fine chap," he said, as he lit a long clay pipe,
after a dinner which impressed me with the truth that the more a man Stepan, Imar's milk-brother and most faithful friend. And I wished with
all my heart that he were there, or could even be advised of his lord's
return. "Then there came a man who was the noblest of all the sons of men to
look at that ever the red sun shone upon. Imar, the son of Dadian, Hisar came forth from the inner room, so fateful to SÃ»r Imar, and for
once his surly face looked bright. Since his return he had thought scorn CHAPTER XXII

IMAR'S TALE--WAR
CHAPTER XLVI

QUEEN MARVA Marva's scheme, except through me, and I have no proofs. It is all
suspicion, or inference from little slips of Hafer's and so on, and what "Marva is dead," I kept on saying; "the greatest woman of the age is
dead! Not the best, not the purest, not even a true woman. But how grand Marva, who knew of her husband's falseness!" refused him his daughter Marva. Instead of answering the letter
therefore in which he demanded his portion, I set forth with a few "But his own sister, his twin sister, the darling of his
childhood--Marva! How could all such wickedness go on without her
knowledge? It is impossible to imagine that she would allow it." Marva came forth in her majestic manner (having turned away her face,
perhaps with sisterly compunction), sweeping her black robe along the with us. We had lost our mother before we knew her; and Marva and
myself, twin children, had been sent from home, we could not tell when, and even her own babes, he became quite excited, and vowed that she must
have come to life again as the Princess Marva. Upon that I begged him to their clumsy fingers back, and went down on their knees with
superstition. But the Princess Marva drew near to me, and the butt of a "Marva, twin-sister of mine, and in childhood dearer than my little self
to me, had defied all authority; and when that did not avail, had behind the corner, and left others to find out the loss. But it was not
very long unknown, for Marva was coming along the ravine upon her return Princess Marva came, the widow of Rakhan Houseburner, and claimed the
command of everything. I would not rebel against the sister of the man I that of his mother Marva. In his urgency to get them back straightway to
the land of the mountain without the flood, he has sent them round by course was to pay a visit to the Princess Marva, and try to get some
inkling of her plans. It was not very likely that a couple of clumsy "Valley of Retribution." From Usi's account, it was plain that Marva was
making a tribal revenge of it. Her brother would be tried and condemned pair of tongs. And another reason I can tell you too, Petheril doesn't
know the little things about that beauty of a Marva, which have come to abandoned all hope by that time, as any but a woman must have done long
since, and there was no one to receive him. For Marva had sent her own Then we asked him about the Princess Marva, and he smiled mysteriously.
"We don't talk of her so freely," he said, as Strogue still pressed him. "There was also another signature, broken and crooked, as if the hand
had been seized in another, and compelled to shape the name of _Marva_.
and even her own babes, he became quite excited, and vowed that she must
have come to life again as the Princess Marva. Upon that I begged him to "Marva is dead," I kept on saying; "the greatest woman of the age is
dead! Not the best, not the purest, not even a true woman. But how grand with us. We had lost our mother before we knew her; and Marva and
myself, twin children, had been sent from home, we could not tell when, dwellings from robbery, for the short time he governed at Karthlos. It
was said, moreover, that Queen Marva, as she loved to hear herself
called, would now have no chance of holding fast her manifold Princess Marva came, the widow of Rakhan Houseburner, and claimed the
command of everything. I would not rebel against the sister of the man I their clumsy fingers back, and went down on their knees with
superstition. But the Princess Marva drew near to me, and the butt of a behind the corner, and left others to find out the loss. But it was not
very long unknown, for Marva was coming along the ravine upon her return "Valley of Retribution." From Usi's account, it was plain that Marva was
making a tribal revenge of it. Her brother would be tried and condemned their hearts and souls. And this black bear Queen Marva is. CHAPTER XLVI

QUEEN MARVA "But his own sister, his twin sister, the darling of his
childhood--Marva! How could all such wickedness go on without her
knowledge? It is impossible to imagine that she would allow it." Then we asked him about the Princess Marva, and he smiled mysteriously.
"We don't talk of her so freely," he said, as Strogue still pressed him. Marva, who knew of her husband's falseness!" that of his mother Marva. In his urgency to get them back straightway to
the land of the mountain without the flood, he has sent them round by Marva came forth in her majestic manner (having turned away her face,
perhaps with sisterly compunction), sweeping her black robe along the refused him his daughter Marva. Instead of answering the letter
therefore in which he demanded his portion, I set forth with a few made us almost as familiar with English as if we were born to it. But
Marva, my sister, had her education in the school of a French convent on had been heard of there. And so, with many thanks, we left him for the
present, and spent a day at Kazbek village, preparing for our visit to
the Princess Marva. "Marva, twin-sister of mine, and in childhood dearer than my little self
to me, had defied all authority; and when that did not avail, had "There was also another signature, broken and crooked, as if the hand
had been seized in another, and compelled to shape the name of _Marva_.
Then, as sure as I am sitting here this day, the last thing that ever I
could have believed was done concerning me and to me. Dariel came, and I Dariel. Yielding to a sudden rush of jealousy, I had quitted her hastily
and almost rudely, and broken my appointment with her father. It was But Dariel was of good strong faith, without which a woman deserves only
to be a man. She opened the gate, and let me in, so beautifully that I
was quite afraid. I told him briefly what had happened to myself. How after winning a
pledge for life from Dariel, and the approval of her father, I had been "You must not call me that, sir. I am not of the French. I prefer the
English nation very greatly. There has only been one name given to me
by my father, and that is _Dariel_." At the end of the room which was nearest to me, and only a few yards
from the corner I had found, sat Dariel herself, with a purple cloak on, "Be thankful that it is so, my friend. It will be my duty to prevent
their increase." Dariel's father smiled at his own words, with a sense capable of any such horrible design. But the misery, agony, and anxiety
for the pure and innocent Dariel, and her father already so cruelly and see Dariel do it." For she had told Jackson, and he in his lunacy
thought it too good to be kept to himself, that her brother George, if life to us. But Dariel knows that we must not think of our own comfort
only." attach to her, and I have not told her of it. But I love your daughter,
Dariel." SÃ»r Imar received us with a loving smile. I thought that he had never
looked more grand. Dariel knelt to him, while I held her hand; and if I Dariel's father, I would gladly have risked my life--if time were
allowed me to know what I was about--rather than let such inhumanity by their loving sister and aunt, at a place appointed; and there they
must leave the great Dariel road, and be conducted by her to Karthlos,
with great rejoicing and affection kindled. But why were all these men and do anything, to be of service to Dariel. And for her own sake too, I
can tell you, for she is a most charming creature, though a little too "It is the sweetest name in all the world. Oh, Dariel, am I to call you
Dariel?" merely because he has dared to look at Dariel. She, who takes so long to
see what I am, is not at all likely to be carried by storm by this came to the place where Dariel lived. "What can make you ask me such a thing?" she answered, and I said,
"Don't you know, Dariel?" And she drew back, and whispered, "I will
try--if my father has no objection." is no doubt of that. And I dare not even mention the subject before him.
Even Dariel knows not a word about it."
Who is Marva the queen of? Who had fallen in love with Dariel? Who is the story narrated by? Where is Dariel followed? What does Imar return to his native land to do? Who helps George rescue Dariel and her father? Who is Marva planning to kill? Who is George Cranleigh's father? Where does George Cranleigh own land? What is Marva's relationship to Dariel? Who helps George rescue Dariel and Imar? Why did Sur Imar come to England? Who does Marva plan to wed to her son? Where does George meet Dariel? Who is Marva queen of? Who is Sur Imar prince of? Where did Sur Imar and his family live in Surrey? Why does Imar go back to his native land? Who is George Cranleigh's father? Where was George Cranleigh a landowner? When did George meet Dariel? What is Lesghians? Why did Sur Imar move to England? Why did Imar return to his native land? Who is Marva? What did the natives call Marva? Who rescued Dariel and her father?
The Ossets The Ossets
George Cranleigh george
George Cranleigh George Cranleigh
East to the east
To educate his tribesmen in the lesson of civilization To educate his tribesmen
The miners and the Lesghians miners and Lesghians
Prince Imar prince imar
Lord Harold Cranleigh Lord Harold Cranleigh
Surrey, England Surrey.
She is her aunt her aunt
Miners and Lesghians Miners and Lesghians.
To escape the blood feud with his sister a blood fued between Lesghains
Dariel Dariel.
In a ruined chapel In a ruined chapel.
the Ossets Queens of the Ossets
the Lesghians The Lesghians.
In a deserted house a deserted house
To educate his people about civilization To educate his tribesmen
Lord Harold Cranleigh Lord Harold Cranleigh
In Surrey Surrey
While he was riding home from market. On his way home from visiting the market.
A wild tribe of Caucasus. a tribe
Because he was involved in a blood feud against his sister. To escape the blood feud and live peaceably 
To educate the tribesman in civilization.  To educate his tribesmen of lessons in civilization.
Queen of Ossets Queen of the Ossets.
"The Bride of the Devil". "the Bride of the Devil"
George, miners, and Lesghians. George with miners and Lesghians