Miriam thought this strange, and, without seeming to do so, kept her eyes fixed upon the curtains.

Presently, for her sight was good, she saw fingers between them--long, dark-coloured fingers.

Then very slowly the curtains were parted, and in the opening thus made appeared a face, the face of an old woman, dark and noble looking and crowned with snow-white hair.

Even at that distance Miriam knew it in an instant.
Oh, Heaven! it was the face of Nehushta, Nehushta whom she thought dead, or at least for ever lost.

For a moment Miriam was paralysed, wondering whether this was not some vision born of the turmoil and excitement of that dreadful day.