"Three _tal_ have you to take counsel, Yolara.

And at the end of that time these things must you have determined--either to do or not to do: first, send the strangers to the Silent Ones; second, give up, you and Lugur and all of you, that dream you have of conquest of the world without; and, third, forswear the Shining One! And if you do not one and all these things, then are you done, your cup of life broken, your wine of life spilled.

Yea, Yolara, for you and the Shining One, Lugur and the Nine and all those here and their kind shall pass! This say the Silent Ones, 'Surely shall all of ye pass and be as though never had ye been!'" Now a gasp of rage and fear arose from all those around me--but the priestess threw back her head and laughed loud and long.

Into the silver sweet chiming of her laughter clashed that of Lugur--and after a little the nobles took it up, till the whole chamber echoed with their mirth.

O'Keefe, lips tightening, moved toward the Handmaiden, and almost imperceptibly, but peremptorily, she waved him back.
"Those _are_ great words--great words indeed, _choya_," shrilled Yolara at last; and again Lakla winced beneath the word.