Chapters 41-44 Summary

In Chapter 41 Vane confesses his unworthiness to sleep in the chamber, given his earlier cowardice and self-confidence, but asks to lie beside Lona. First, he must go into the desert, guided by the sound of underground water, and bury Lilith's hand. He sets out immediately into the cold night. At the river bed near Mara's cottage, Vane is approached by figures wanting the hand: one that looks like Lilith, some armed men, and one who claims to be Mara, sent by Adam. The Shadow next bars Vane's way, but Vane pushes through the Shadow into the spring air of dawn. Mara's cottage stands open and bread and water await, but Vane enters the desert and at the spot where waters is loudest, digs a hole, completes the burial, and falls asleep.

Chapter 42 finds Vane awakening in a swelling river and the...