He used to laugh at her native stories of occult powers, though she knew that he had seen some strange things done, as most foreigners had.

He always explained such things contemptuously on grounds which presupposed in the performers of the mysteries powers of agility, dexterity, and universal knowledge quite as marvellous as anything occult could have been.

He did not like her to show belief in the "tricks of the natives," as he called them.

It made a woman look a fool, he said, to be so credulous.
During the last few months a new fever had tormented her.

Feelings had awakened in her which were new.