Next in a slow, quiet voice she spoke, saying: "O Shadow of this royal Star, by my spells incorporate, this is our case: Here we starve in misery, and without the gate Abi waits the end.
If the Queen lives, he will take her who hates him to be his wife; if she dies he will seize her throne.

Our wisdom is finished.

What must we do to save this Star that it may shine serene until its appointed hour of setting ?" "Is that all you seek ?" asked the Double, when she had finished.
"Nay," broke in Tua hurriedly, "I would not shine alone, I seek another Star to share my sky with me." "Have you faith and will you obey ?" asked the Double again.

"For without faith I can do nothing." Now Asti looked at Tua who bowed her head in assent to an unspoken question, then she answered: "We have faith, we will obey." "So be it," said the Shadow.

"Presently Abi will come to ask whether the Queen consents to be his wife, or whether she will bide here until she dies.