that this was the saddest and the most bitter of dreams that had been
sent to mock me, for all the truth rushed into my mind. Losing my hold
of Otomie, I fell back upon the bed and groaned aloud, and as I fell I
saw the flush of shame upon her brow and breast. For this woman loved
me, and thus my act and words were an insult to her, who could guess
well what prompted them. Still she spoke gently.

'Pardon me, Teule, I came but to watch and not to waken you. I came also
that I may see you alone before the daybreak, hoping that I might be of
service, or at the least, of comfort to you, for the end draws near. Say
then, in your sleep did you mistake me for some other woman dearer and
fairer than I am, that you would have embraced me?'

'I dreamed that you were my betrothed whom I love, and who is far
away across the sea,' I answered heavily. 'But enough of love and such
matters. What have I to do with them who go down into darkness?'

'In truth I cannot tell, Teule, still I have heard wise men say that if
love is to be found anywhere, it is in this same darkness of death, that
is light indeed. Grieve not, for if there is truth in the faith of which
you have told me or in our own, either on this earth or beyond it, with
the eyes of the spirit you will see your dear before another sun is set,
and I pray that you may find her faithful to you. Tell me now, how
much does she love you? Would SHE have lain by your side on the bed of
sacrifice as, had things gone otherwise between us, Teule, it was my
hope to do?'

'No,' I answered, 'it is not the custom of our women to kill themselves
because their husbands chance to die.'