I took it, and Stella kissed him.

Presently he spoke again—­

“It is my intention,” he said, “if you two consent, to marry you next Sunday.  I wish to do so soon, for I do not know how much longer will be allowed to me.  I believe that such a ceremony, solemnly celebrated and entered into before witnesses, will, under the circumstances, be perfectly legal; but of course you will repeat it with every formality the first moment it lies in your power so to do.  And now, there is one more thing:  when I left England my fortunes were in a shattered condition; in the course of years they have recovered themselves, the accumulated rents, as I heard but recently, when the waggons last returned from Port Natal, have sufficed to pay off all charges, and there is a considerable balance over.  Consequently you will not marry on nothing, for of course you, Stella, are my heiress, and I wish to make a stipulation.  It is this.  That so soon as my death occurs you should leave this place and take the first opportunity of returning to England.  I do not ask you to live there always; it might prove too much for people reared in the wilds, as both of you have been; but I do ask you to make it your permanent home.  Do you consent and promise this?”

“I do,” I answered.

“And so do I,” said Stella.

“Very well,” he answered; “and now I am tired out.  Again God bless you both, and good-night.”

CHAPTER X

HENDRIKA PLOTS EVIL

On the following morning I had a conversation with Indaba-zimbi.  First of all I told him that I was going to marry Stella.

“Oh!” he said, “I thought so, Macumazahn.  Did I not tell you that you would find happiness on this journey?  Most men must be content to watch the Star from a long way off, to you it is given to wear her on your heart.  But remember, Macumazahn, remember that stars set.”

“Can you not stop your croaking even for a day?” I answered, angrily, for his words sent a thrill of fear through me.

“A true prophet must tell the ill as well as the good, Macumazahn.  I only speak what is on my mind.  But what of it?  What is life but loss, loss upon loss, till life itself be lost?  But in death we may find all the things that we have lost.  So your father taught, Macumazahn, and there was wisdom in his gentleness.  Ou!  I do not believe in death; it is change, that is all, Macumazahn.  Look now, the rain falls, the drops of rain that were one water in the clouds fall side by side.  They sink into the ground; presently the sun will come out, the earth will be dry, the drops will be gone.  A fool looks and says the drops are dead, they will never be one again, they will never again fall side by side.  But I am a rain-maker, and I know the ways of rain.  It is not true.  The drops will drain by many paths into the river, and will be one water there.  They will go up to the clouds again in the mists of morning,