not love in vain. Queen and Daughter, fare thee well awhile."

"Nay, nay, one word, Immortal. I thank thee, thou Messenger of the
gods, but when these troubles come upon me--and another, when the sea
of dangers closes o'er our heads, when shame is near and I am lonely, as
well may chance, then to whom shall I turn for succour?"

"Then thou hast one within thee who is strong to aid. It was given to
thee at thy birth, O Star of Amen, and Asti can call it forth. Come
hither, thou Asti, and swiftly, for I must be gone, and first I would
speak with thee."

Asti crept forward, and the glowing shape in the royal robe bent over
her so that the light of it shone upon her face. It bent over her and
seemed to whisper in her ear. Then it held out its hands towards Tua as
though in blessing, and instantly was not.



Once more the two women stood in Tua's chamber. Pale and shaken they
looked into each other's eyes.

"You have had your will, Queen," said Asti; "for if Amen did not come,
he sent a messenger, and a royal one."

"Interpret me this vision," answered Tua, "for to me, at any rate, that
Spirit said little."

"Nay, it said much. It said that love fails not of its reward, and what
more went you out to seek?"