"
"Yet, lady, the scroll I saw purported to be written by you, and your
own woman bore it to the prince. As I think, she sits yonder at the end
of the chamber, for I know her shape."
"Come hither," called Elissa, addressing the woman. "Now tell me, what
scroll was this that you carried to-day to the prince Aziel, saying that
I sent you?"
"Lady," answered the girl confusedly, "I never told the prince Aziel
that you sent him the scroll."
"The truth, woman, the truth," said her mistress. "Lie not, or it will
be the worse for you."
"Lady, this is the truth. As I was walking through the market-place
an old black woman met me, and offered me a piece of gold if I would
deliver a letter into the hand of the prince Aziel. The gold tempted
me, for I had need of it, and I consented; but of who wrote the letter I
know nothing, nor have I ever seen the woman before."
"You have done wrong, girl," said Elissa, "but I believe your tale. Now
go."
When she had gone, Elissa stood for a while thinking; and, as she
thought, Metem saw a look of fear gather on her face.
"Say," she asked him, "is there anything strange about the tree of which
the scroll tells?"
"Its size is strange," he answered, "and it has five roots that stand
above the ground."
As he spoke Elissa uttered a little cry.
"Ah!" she said, "it is the tree of my dream. Now--now I understand.
Swift, oh! come with me swiftly, for see, the moon rises," and she
sprang to the door followed by the amazed Metem.
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