Near-by to them, as it happened, stood a large basket of the luscious native fruits brought that morning by the Orofenans, and at these the Lady looked with longing.

With Bickley's permission, I offered them to her and to the Ancient, first peeling them with my fingers.

They ate of them greedily, a full meal, and would have gone on had not the stern Bickley, fearing untoward consequences, removed the basket.

Again the results were wonderful, for half an hour afterwards they seemed to be quite strong.

With my assistance the Glittering Lady, as I still call her, for at that time I did not know her name, rose from the chair, and, leaning on me, tottered a few steps forward.