Marie

Although in my old age I Allan Quatermain have taken to writing-after a fashion-never yet have I set down a single word of the tale of my first love and of the adventures that are grouped around her beautiful and tragic history. I suppose this is because it has always seemed to me too holy and far-off a matter-as holy and far-off as is that heaven which holds the splendid spirit of Marie Marais. But now in my age that which was far-off draws near again; and at night in the depths between the stars sometimes I seem to see the opening doors through which I must pass and leaning earthwards across their threshold with outstretched arms and dark and dewy eyes a shadow long forgotten by all save me-the shadow of Marie Marais.