to his own life,
but Juanna and his daughter knew well that he spoke of that of Leonard,
which would be sacrificed did the former persist in her objections to
the instant celebration of the marriage.

"You hear his words, Queen," said Olfan, "and there is weight in them.
The times are very dangerous, and if our plot is to be carried through,
before midnight I must make oath to the captains and the Council of the
Elders that you have come back from death to be my wife."

"Maybe," answered Juanna, catching at a straw in her despair, "but
must I, who shall be set over this people as queen, be married thus in
secret? At the least I will have witnesses. Let some of the captains
whom you trust, Olfan, be brought here to see us wed, otherwise the time
may come when I shall be held to be no true wife, and there are none to
establish my honour by their words."

"There is little fear of such a thing, Queen," answered Olfan with
a faint smile, "yet your demands are just. I will bring three of my
captains here, men who will not betray us, and they shall be witness to
this rite," and he turned as though he would go to seek them.

"Do not leave me," said Juanna, catching him by the wrist. "I trust you,
but these two I do not trust. I fear to be left alone."

"There is no need for witnesses," exclaimed Nam in a threatening voice.

"The Shepherdess has asked for witnesses, and she shall have them,"
answered Olfan fiercely. "Old man, you have played with me long enough;
hitherto I have been your servant, now I will be your master. Some hours
ago your life was forfeit to me, for the white dawn had turned to
red, and I meant to take it, but you bribed me with this bait," and
he pointed to Juanna. "Nay, do not lay your hand upon your knife; you
forget I have my spear. Your priests are without, I know it, but so are
my captains, and I have told them where I am; if I vanish as many vanish
here, my life will be required at your hands, for, Nam, your power is
broken.

"Now, obey me. Bid that woman summon him who guards without. No, you
do not stir," and he lifted the spear till its keen blue point quivered
over the high priest's naked breast. "Bid her go to the door and summon
the guard. I said to the door, but not beyond it, or beware!"

Nam was cowed: his tool had become his master.

"Obey," he said to Soa.

"Obey, but no more," echoed Olfan.

Snarling like a wolf, the woman slipped past them to the door, and
opening it a little