When we reached the mirror, M. de Chagny licked it⁠ ⁠… and I also licked the glass.

It was burning hot!

Then we rolled on the floor with a hoarse cry of despair. M. de Chagny put the one pistol that was still loaded to his temple; and I stared at the Punjab lasso at the foot of the iron tree. I knew why the iron tree had returned, in this third change of scene!⁠ ⁠… The iron tree was waiting for me!⁠ ⁠…

But, as I stared at the Punjab lasso, I saw a thing that made me start so violently that M. de Chagny delayed his attempt at suicide. I took his arm. And then I caught the pistol from him⁠ ⁠… and then I dragged myself on my knees toward what I had seen.