There was no sign of a change; the wind blew as bitterly as ever from the mountains, the sky was ashen, and the stars seemed far off and cold.
"Will it never break ?" said Leonard with a sigh, and re-entered the palace, followed by Francisco.
Then, having solemnly cautioned Otter to keep a strict guard over Soa, they wrapped themselves up in their blankets in order to get some rest, which both of them needed sadly.

Juanna had retired already, laying herself to sleep immediately on the other side of the curtain, for she feared to be alone; indeed they could see the tips of her fingers appearing beneath the bottom of the curtain.
Very soon they were asleep, for even terror must yield at last to the necessities of rest, and a dense silence reigned over the palace, broken only by the tramp of the sentries without.
Once Leonard opened his eyes, hearing something move, and instantly stretched out his hand to assure himself of Juanna's safety.

She was there, for in her sleep her fingers closed instinctively upon his own.
Then he turned round and saw what had disturbed him.

In the doorway of the chamber stood the bride of the Snake, Saga, a lighted torch in one hand and a gourd in the other, and very picturesque that handsome young woman looked with her noble figure illumined by the glare of the torchlight.
"What is the matter ?" said Leonard.
"It is all right, Baas," answered Otter; "the old woman here is as safe as a stone statue yonder and quite as quiet.

Saga brings me some water, that is all.