The widow’s face was drawn and pinched, and she looked utterly forlorn and helpless while the search went on. Once in the cell, she tried to speak cheerfully to her childhood friend, but she could not prevent a revulsion of feeling when she saw the perfumed dandy shorn of all his splendor; his long, thin neck and large ears grated upon her senses unpleasantly. How was it ever possible that she had loved him? Ildiko began to suspect that it was remorse and not affection which had prompted her feelings. She had never practiced self-restraint, but had always given voice to every passing emotion. What she said was true at the time it was spoken, or, at least, she thought it was. Alcamayn huddled over in a corner opposite, unable to control his repugnance, and instinctively sharing something of the aversion apparent in Ildiko. Wholly surprised and half-frightened at herself, Ildiko arose to take leave. She tried to feel very sad, but instead of the passionate tears, and protest of undying love, she gulped down a dry sob, extended a cold clammy hand, and in a queer little voice, said with painful articulation: “May Infinity hover over and guard thee!” “May Justice find and abide with thee!” he answered, ignoring her proffered hand. Alcamayn held her eyes unflinchingly until she reached the door, to which she made a halting journey, hoping that he would say some kind word in farewell. This was balm to his revolted feelings, and he had a grim sort of satisfaction in knowing that she had sued for his good will, and had been repulsed. It was one way to revenge himself upon her choice of another for a husband. The homicide really cherished no ill will toward Orondo. Ildiko was the one he despised, and he would leave her his dying curses. The last hour of his life was spent with Yermah, who did all that could be done to sustain the wretched man through the anticipation of the coming ordeal. Imos prepared the spiced and tinctured wine, which Alcamayn was obliged to sip through a straw. This was done to produce drowsiness; when the victim was fully under its influence, a white powder having the quality of cocaine was sprinkled upon his face to deaden pain. Alcamayn’s under-garments were of chamois-skin, over which was a loose robe of coarse cloth made from the beaten fiber of nettle. A hideous mask was put over his face, to show that his lower self would be disguised in animal form in its next incarnation. Ben Hu Barabe and Hanabusa placed Alcamayn gently on the floor, giving directions to the priests and warriors as to the number of cords which should bind his body. When securely pinioned they sewed him up in another layer of coarse cloth, and then placed him on a litter. This they carried up to the second floor, where by stout cords they tied Alcamayn’s feet to the arch in front of his cell. The body was held upright on a trap-door, and allowed to fall full length, striking the head upon the floor.