Miriam, however, sternly forbade this, because it would hasten her death.
Then the sufferer, summoning all her strength, exclaimed hastily, as loudly as her voice would permit, after measuring the prophetess' tall figure with a long glance: "You wish to prevent me from doing my duty--you ?" There had been a slight touch of mockery in the question; but Kasana doubtless felt that it was necessary to spare her strength; for she continued far more quietly, as though talking to herself: "I cannot die so, I cannot! How it happened; why I sacrificed all, all....

I must atone for it; I will not complain, if he only learns how it came to pass.

Oh, Nun, dear old Nun, who gave me the lamb when I was a little thing--I loved it so dearly--and you, Ephraim, my dear boy, I will tell you everything." Here a painful fit of coughing interrupted her; but as soon as she recovered her breath, she turned to Miriam, and called in a tone which so plainly expressed bitter dislike, that it would have surprised any one who knew her kindly nature: "But you, yonder,--you tall woman with the deep voice who are a physician, you lured him from Tanis, from his soldiers and from me.

He, he obeyed your summons.

And you...