Kunda recognized, with mingled joy and fear, in this compassionate being the features of her long-dead mother.

The shining, loving being, raising Kunda from the earth, took her into her bosom, and the orphan girl could for a long period do nought but utter the sweet word "Mother!" Then the shining figure, kissing Kunda's face, said to her: "Child, thou hast suffered much, and I know thou hast yet more to suffer; thou so young, thy tender frame cannot endure such sorrow.

Therefore abide not here; leave the earth and come with me." Kunda seemed to reply: "Whither shall I go ?" Then the mother, with uplifted finger indicating the shining constellations, answered, "There!" Kunda seemed, in her dream, to gaze into the timeless, shoreless ocean of stars, and to say, "I have no strength; I cannot go so far." Hearing this, the mother's kind and cheerful but somewhat grave face saddened, her brows knitted a little, as she said in grave, sweet tones: "Child, follow thy own will, but it would be well for thee to go with me.

The day will come when thou wilt gaze upon the stars, and long bitterly to go thither.

I will once more appear to thee; when, bowed to the dust with affliction, thou rememberest me, and weepest to come to me, I will return.