Unheeding the woman's strange manner, Cosel, to the surprise of her companions, went up to the old beggar. For a moment the two women looked into each other's eyes.
Cosel was the first to speak.
"Who are you?" she asked. "Tell me why you are so poor."
Mlawa shook her head.
"I am not poor," she replied proudly, "for I have memories of happy years. I am here still on the land that belonged to my family. I am the Queen."
"You are a Queen?" laughed Cosel.
"Yes, I am a Queen! for the blood of the kings of this land flows in my veins. All things are possible in this world. You, though to-day you are almost a Queen, by to-morrow may be as miserable as I."
"Of what kings are you speaking?" inquired Cosel thoughtfully.
The old woman raised her hand and pointed to the surrounding country.
"All that was ours--all, until you came and took it, and slew us as though we had been wild beasts. We were good; we came with bread, and salt, and song; while you came with iron, fire, and slaughter. And the German race multiplied, and pushed us out of our land. It's my land, and I must die here. From this place my soul will find its way back to my people."