In her native land, however, she had another name, Nou, and by this name she was known to her dead mistress, the wife of Benoni, and to his daughter Rachel, whom she had nursed from childhood.
The moon shone very brightly in a clear sky, and by the light of it an observer, had there been any to observe where all were so occupied with their own urgent affairs, could have watched every movement and expression of these women.

Rachel, seated on the ground, was rocking herself to and fro, her face hidden in her hands, and praying.

Nehushta knelt at her side, resting the weight of her body on her heels as only an Eastern can, and stared sullenly at nothingness.
Presently Rachel, dropping her hands, looked at the tender sky and sighed.
"Our last night on earth, Nou," she said sadly.

"It is strange to think that we shall never again see the moon floating above us." "Why not, mistress?
If all that we have been taught is true, we shall see that moon, or others, for ever and ever, and if it is not true, then neither light nor darkness will trouble us any more.

However, for my own part I don't mean that either of us should die to-morrow." "How can you prevent it, Nou ?" asked Rachel with a faint smile.