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ignorance。 It is necessary that you should know it when I am gone； and I
have accordingly committed it to this paper； which will then fall into your
hands。 My early life； until two years after I married your mother； was
spent in India； the adult portion thereof being devoted to the service of the
East India Company。 I had charge of a department in their depot at
Bombay。 You have seen Naples。 Add to the beauties of that city the
interesting and motley population of Cairo and you can form some idea of
the attractions of Bombay。 I was very happy there until the occurrence of
the event I am about to narrate。
One morning； my duties calling me to one of the wharves； my
attention was attracted by a young girl dancing upon the flags by the
water's edge。 The ordinary bayadere is so common an object in India as
to attract but little notice from anyone of refined tastes； but this girl；
judging from the chaste beauty of her movements； was of a very different
type。 As my curiosity drew me nearer to her she turned her face toward
me； and in that instant I knew my hour had come。
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Though many years her senior she was still my first love； … the one
great passion of my life。
I do not attempt to describe her ineffable loveliness； for； like the
beauty of a flower； it was incapable of analysis。 Nothing that I could
write would give you any adequate idea of this girl's seraphic face； for she
was like unto no one you have ever seen in this cold Western world。 I
watched in a wild； nervous transport； I know not how long … time and
space had no part in this new ecstasy of mine！ I could think of nothing； do
nothing … only feel； … feel the hot blood deluge my brain only to fall back
in scalding torrents upon my heart with a pain that was exquisite pleasure。
Suddenly she changed her step and executed a quick backward
movement toward the water； stopping just as her heels touched the curb at
the edge of the wharf； then forward； and again a quick return to the
backward movement； but this time she mistook the distance； her heels
struck the curb forcibly； and she was precipitated backward into the water。
For a moment I stood as one petrified； unable to reason； much less to act；
then the excited voices of the crowd recalled me。 They had thrown a rope
into the water and were waiting for her to come to the surface and grasp it。
The wall from which she had fallen must have been at least fifteen feet
above the water； which was littered with broken spars； pieces of timber；
and other odd bits of wood。 It seemed as if she would never come to the
surface； and when at length she did； she did not attempt to seize the rope
thrown to her； but sank without a movement。 The truth flashed upon me
in an instant。 She had struck her head against some of the floating drift
and was unconscious！ Something must be done at once。 I seized the
rope and sprang in after her； taking good care to avoid obstructions； and
although； as you know； I never learned to swim； I succeeded in reaching
her； and we were drawn up together。 I bore her in my arms into one of
the storerooms close by； and； laying her upon a bale of cotton； used such
restoratives as could be quickly procured。
I was kneeling by her； my arm under her neck； in the act of raising her
head； when she opened her eyes； and fastened them； full of wonderment；
upon my face。 A moment more； her memory returning to her； she made a
little movement； as if to free herself。 I was too excited then to heed it；
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The Darrow Enigma
and continued to support her head。 She did not repeat the movement； but
half closed her eyes and leaned back resignedly against my arm。 If； I
thought； these few minutes could be expanded into an eternity； it would be
my idea of heaven。 She was recovering rapidly now and soon raised
herself into a sitting posture； saying； in very good English； 〃I think I can
stand now； Sahib。〃 I gave her my arm and assisted her to her feet。 Her
hand closed upon my sleeve as if to see how wet it was； and glancing at
my dripping garments； she said simply： 〃You have been in the water；
Sahib； and it is to you I owe my life。 I shall never forget your kindness。
She raised her eyes to my face and met my gaze for a moment； as she
spoke。 We are told that the eye is incapable of any expression save that
lent it by the lids and brow； … that the eyeball itself； apart from its direction；
and the changes of the pupil resulting from variations in the intensity of
light； can carry no message whatsoever。 This may be so； but； without
any noticeable movement of the eyes that met mine； I learned with
ineffable delight that this young girl's soul and mine were threaded upon
the same cord of destiny。 My emotion so overpowered me that I could
not speak； and when my self…possession returned the young girl had
vanished。
》From the height of bliss I now plunged into the abyss of despair。 I
had let her go without a word。 I did not even know her name。 I had
caught her to myself from the ocean only to suffer her to drown herself
among the half…million inhabitants of Bombay。 What must she think of
me？ I asked the wharfinger if he knew her； but he had never seen her
before。 All my other inquiries proved equally fruitless。 I wondered if she
knew that I loved her； but hardiy dared to hope she had been able to
correctly interpret my boorish conduct。 I could think of but one thing to
do。 If I did not know her name； neither did she know mine； and so if she
desired a further acquaintance； she； like myself； must rely upon a chance
meeting。 If she had detected my admiration for her she must know that I
too would strive to meet her again。 Where would she be most likely to
expect me to look for her？ Clearly at the same place we had met before；
and at the same time of day。 She might naturally think my duties called
me there daily at that hour。 I determined to be there at the same time the
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next day。
I arrived to find her there before me； anxiously peering at the passers…
by。 She was certainly looking for me； … there was ecstasy in the thought！
It is not necessary； my dear child； that I should describe the details of
our love…making； for my present purpose is not merely to interest you； but
rather to acquaint you with certain occurrences which I now deem it wise
you should know。 Time only intensified our love for each other； and for
several months all went well。 One serious obstacle to our union
presented itself； … that of caste。 Her people； Lona said； would never permit
her to marry outside her own station in life； besides which there was
another ground upon whic