Fear, nameless and chill, swept through her.

She felt her very heart turn cold.
Shivering, she seized a wrap, and crept to the tent-entrance.

The flap was unfastened, just as it had been left by her husband the night before.

With shaking fingers she drew it aside and looked forth.
The hubbub of voices had died down to awed whisperings.

A group of coolies huddled in the open space before her like an assembly of monkeys holding an important discussion.
Further away, with distorted limbs and grim, impassive countenance, crouched the black-bearded beggar whose importunity had lured Ralph from her side the previous evening.