sharp showers of sleet. Now, as the
afternoon waned, the sky began to clear in its accustomed fashion; but
the bitter wind sweeping down the mountains, though it drove away the
fog, gave no promise of any break in the weather. At sunset Leonard went
to the palace gates and looked towards the temple, about the walls
of which a number of people were already gathering, as though in
anticipation of some great event. They caught sight of him, and drew
as near to the gates of the palace as they dared, howling curses and
shaking their fists.

"This is a foretaste of what we must expect to-night, I suppose," said
Leonard to Francisco, who had followed him, as they retreated across the
courtyard. "We are in trouble now, friend. I do not so much care for my
own sake, but it breaks my heart to think of Juanna. What will be the
end of it, I wonder?"

"For me, Outram, the end will be death, of that I am sure; well, I have
long expected it, and I am ready to die. What your fate will be I cannot
say; but as to the Senora, comfort yourself; for many weeks I have had a
presentiment that she will escape safely."

"In that case I am ready enough to go," answered Leonard. "Life is as
dear to me as to other men; but I tell you, Francisco, that I would pay
mine down gladly to-night as the price of her deliverance."

"I know it, Outram; we are both of one mind there, and perhaps before
many hours are over we shall be called upon to practise what we preach."

By now they had reached the throne-room, where Otter, who for the last
twenty hours had been quite sober, was squatted on the floor at the
foot of his throne, a picture of repentant misery, while Juanna walked
swiftly up and down the long room, lost in reflection.

"Any news, Leonard?" she said as they came in.

"None, except that there are great preparations going on yonder," and he
nodded towards the temple; "also a mob is howling at the gates."

"Oh!" groaned Otter, addressing Juanna, "cannot you, who are named
Shepherdess of the Heavens, prophesy to these people that the weather
will break, and so save us from the Snake?"

"I can prophesy," she answered; "but it will not change to-night, nor, I
think, to-morrow. However, I will try."

Then came a silence: nobody seemed to have anything to say. It was
broken by the entrance of Olfan, whose face showed the disturbance of
his mind.

"What passes, Olfan?" asked Juanna.

"Queen," he answered sadly, "there is great trouble at