Francis Worcester Doughty

“ They are all Chinamen!” he cried. “Now is the time to see if Mirrikh’s letter is any good.”
Through the arch they came pouring, with a hideous din of beating tom-toms and a formidable display of glistening spears.
I pulled out the letter, glancing hastily at the line of Thibetan characters inscribed upon it, and bowing low, laid it in the hand of the fat Celestial who came shambling toward us, evidently being in command. ”

“ Maurice married her in Calcutta and she signed the register Merzilla Layakwoma, giving her residence, etc., as Thibet.
Most surely is she a lady, and a highly intelligent one; most decidedly are they the happiest married couple I ever knew. But one thing mars their happiness. As yet there are no olive plants about their table. Maurice says there never will be any. Probably he is right.
As for myself, I live with these, my friends, for I have no others, unless, indeed, it is the Doctor—but stay, there is Mr. Mirrikh! Have I not a friend on Mars? ”

“ Concerning Maurice and his companion I have only this to say: he calls her Merzilla and speaks to her in a language which certainly is not one of the tongues of earth.
She is much like ordinary women and can now speak English, but seldom uses it in addressing her husband. ”