She paused as she gained her strength, while I mutely worshiped—then she went on reverently.
“It is that which neither time nor distance can alter. It has been with me always, and so I knew that you still lived and one day would come for me.”
I had no answer but to press my lips upon her slender wrist.
She closed her eyes for a while and seemed to sleep, while I sat beside her bed in great ferment of mind at her suffering. But soon Maheera came into the lodge with a bowl of some steaming herb. This Mademoiselle drank with relish and Maheera propped her up with robes and branches. As she grew stronger the faint color came back into her cheeks.
“It is over now?” she asked at last.
“Yes. It is over. There shall be no more suffering. Your friends are here and you are safe.”
She leaned back her head, closing her eyes and sighing contentedly. Presently, as a thought came to her, she started up from her pillow.
“Olotoraca!” she said half in alarm. “Where is Olotoraca?”
I set my teeth as I thought of the haughty young brave and his lies to me in the cabin of the Vengeance.