Now, look your last on me; for you love me, do you not ?" and she slipped the mantle from her shoulders and except for her girdle stood before him naked, and smiled.
"Well," she went on, resuming her robe, "the last words of those we love are always dear to us; therefore, Hokosa, you who were my husband, I leave mine with you.

You are a coward and a traitor, and your doom shall be that of a coward and a traitor.

For my sake you betrayed Umsuka, your king and benefactor; for your own sake you betrayed Nodwengo, who spared you; and now, for the sake of your miserable soul, you have betrayed Hafela to Nodwengo.

Nay, I know the tale, do not answer me, but the end of it--ah! that is yet to learn.

Lie there, snake, and lick the hand that you have bitten, but I, the bird whom you have loosed, I fly afar--taking your heart with me!" and suddenly she turned and was gone.
Presently Hokosa spoke in a thick voice:-- "Messenger," he said, "this cross that you have given me to bear is heavy indeed." "Yes, Hokosa," answered Owen, "for to it your sins are nailed.".