"No locked-up cell, no physician, no healing herb can avail against the degrees of Fate.

I am dying of a serpent's sting as it was foretold at my birth; and if I had not gone out to seek Klea a serpent would have slipped into my cage, and have ended my life there.

Give me your hands, my children, for a deadly chill is creeping over me, and its cold hand already touches my heart." For a few minutes his voice failed him, and then he said softly: "One thing I would fain ask of you.

My little possessions, which were intended for you and Irene, you will now use to bury me.

I do not wish to be burnt, as they did with my father--no, I should wish to be finely embalmed, and my mummy to be placed with my mother's.