Abandon thy hopes in all save the Son of God; forget thyself; prepare to give all and expect nothing but the coming of the King! For verily thou lookest over the edge of the world past the very end of time!" The solemn announcement of the Advent by this white-bearded prophet should have discovered in her a very human and terrified girl.

But it was no new tidings to her.

Since her earliest recollection she had heard it, expected it, contemplated it, till the magnitude and terror of it had been lost in its familiarity.

She clasped her hands and dropped her eyes and her lips moved in a silent prayer.
Costobarus remained for a space sunk in glorified meditation.

But presently he raised himself, with signs of his recent feeling showing on his face.
"Send hither thy mother; bid Aquila and our servants stand here before me a little later." She bowed and withdrew.