When she judged her mistress to be out of hearing she leaned down and whispered: "Mother, you have the gift; it is known throughout the Church.

Tell me, will the child be born ?" The old woman fixed her eyes upon the heavens, then answered, slowly: "The child will be born and live out its life, and I think that none of us are doomed to die this day by the jaws of lions, though some of us may die in another fashion.

But I think also that your mistress goes very shortly to join her husband.

Therefore it was that I showed her nothing of what came into my mind." "Then it is best that I should die also, and die I will." "Wherefore ?" "Because I go to wait upon my mistress ?" "Nay, Nehushta," answered Anna, sternly, "you stay to guard her child, whereof when all these earthly things are done you must give account to her.".