See, here is a copy of it," and she read-- "To my rebellious People of the Abati: "Surrender to me Joshua, my uncle, and the members of the Council who have lifted sword against me, to be dealt with according to the ancient law, and the rest of you shall go unharmed.

Refuse, and I swear to you that before the night of the new moon has passed there shall be such woe in Mur as fell upon the city of David when the barbarian standards were set upon her walls.

Such is the counsel that has come to me, the Child of Solomon, in the watches of the night, and I tell you that it is true.
Do what you will, people of the Abati, or what you must, since your fate and ours are written.

But be sure that in me and the Western lords lies your only hope.
"Walda Nagasta." "What do you mean, O Maqueda," I asked, "about the counsel that came to you in the watches of the night ?" "What I say, O Adams," she answered calmly.

"After we parted at dawn I slept heavily, and in my sleep a dark and royal woman stood before me whom I knew to be my great ancestress, the beloved of Solomon.