And now I was about to wed one of the sweetest and loveliest women on the whole earth--a woman whom I loved more than I could have thought possible, and who loved me back again.

Also, as though that were not good fortune enough, I was to acquire with her very considerable possessions, quite sufficiently large to enable us to follow any plan of life we found agreeable.

As I lay and reflected on all this I grew afraid of my good fortune.

Old Indaba-zimbi's melancholy prophecies came into my mind.

Hitherto he had always prophesied truly.
What if these should be true also?
I turned cold as I thought of it, and prayed to the Power above to preserve us both to live and love together.
Never was prayer more needed.