The ceremonies of bathing were gone through with, and by three o'clock she was ready and the fire was briskly burning in the pit.

She had now gone without food or drink during more than four days and a half.

She came ashore from her rock, first wetting her sheet in the waters of the sacred river, for without that safeguard any shadow which might fall upon her would convey impurity to her; then she walked to the pit, leaning upon one of her sons and a nephew--the distance was a hundred and fifty yards.
"I had sentries placed all around, and no other person was allowed to approach within five paces.

She came on with a calm and cheerful countenance, stopped once, and casting her eyes upwards, said, 'Why have they kept me five days from thee, my husband ?' On coming to the sentries her supporters stopped and remained standing; she moved on, and walked once around the pit, paused a moment, and while muttering a prayer, threw some flowers into the fire.

She then walked up deliberately and steadily to the brink, stepped into the centre of the flame, sat down, and leaning back in the midst as if reposing upon a couch, was consumed without uttering a shriek or betraying one sign of agony." It is fine and beautiful.