You won't disappoint me, will you?
There is nothing I can offer you which would have any value for you, so I can only beg you not to disappoint me--well, because I am your friend." I turned away my head, hesitating, and when I looked up again I saw that her beautiful eyes were full of tears.

Naturally that settled the matter, so I only said, "Let us get on with the affair.

What am I to do?
Stop a bit.

I may as well provide against eventualities," and going to a table I took a sheet of notepaper and wrote: "Lady Ragnall and I, Allan Quatermain, are about to make an experiment with an herb which we discovered some years ago in Africa.

If by any chance this should result in accident to either or both of us, the Coroner is requested to understand that it is not a case of murder or of suicide, but merely of unfortunate scientific research." This I dated, adding the hour, 9.47 P.M., and signed, requesting her to do the same.
She obeyed with a smile, saying it was strange that one who had lived a life of such constant danger as myself, should be so afraid to die.
"Look here, young lady," I replied with irritation, "doesn't it occur to you that _I_ may be afraid lest _you_ should die--and _I_ be hanged for it," I added by an afterthought.
"Oh! I see," she answered, "that is really very nice of you.