epeated his words.

Juanna awoke from her stupor. What was to be done now? she wondered.
What could be done? Everything seemed lost. Then of a sudden an
inspiration took her.

"It is true that I am a queen, is it not, Olfan?"

"It is true, Lady."

"And as Queen of the People of the Mist I have power, have I not,
Olfan."

"Even to life and death," he answered gravely; "though if you kill, you
must answer to the Council of the Elders and to me. All in this land are
your servants, Lady, and none dare to disobey you except on matters of
religion."

"Good," said Juanna. Then addressing the captains in a tone of command,
she added, "Seize that priest who is named Nam, and the woman with him."

Olfan looked astonished and the captains hesitated. As for Nam, he did
not hesitate, but made a bound towards the door.

"Stay awhile, Nam," said the king, making a barrier before him with
his spear; "doubtless the Queen has reasons, and you would wish to hear
them. Hold them, my captains, since the Queen commands it."

Then the three men sprang upon them. Once Nam tried to draw his knife,
but failing in his attempt he submitted without further struggle. With
Soa it was different. She bit and tore like a wild-cat, and Juanna saw
that she was striving to reach the panel and to speak through it.

"On your lives do not suffer her to come to that door," she said;
"presently you shall know why."

Then the brother of the king dragged Soa to the couch, and throwing her
down upon it stood over her, his spear-point at her throat.

"Now, Queen," said Olfan, "your will is done, and perhaps it may please
you to explain."

"Listen, King, and listen, you, captains," she answered. "These liars
told you that the Deliverer was dead, was it not so? He is not dead, he
lies bound in yonder cell, but had I spoken a word to you, then he would
have died. Olfan, do you know how my consent was won to be your wife?
A shutter within that door was opened, and he, my husband, was shown to
me, gagged and bound, and being held over the mouth of a hideous pit in
the floor of his prison, that leads I know not whither.

"'Consent, or he dies,' they said, and for my love's sake I consented.
This was the plot, Olfan: to marry me to you, partly because the woman
yonder, who was my nurse, did not desire my death, and partly that Nam
might use me to save himself from the anger of the people. But do not
think that you would have kept me long, Olfan; for this