Then he let his eyes fall upon the three white people seated
in front of him. First he looked at Mr. Clifford, and his face grew
troubled; then at Jacob Meyer, and it was anxious and alarmed. Lastly,
he stared at Benita, and while he did so the dark eyes became calm and
happy.
"White maiden," he said in a soft, low voice, "for you, at least, I have
good tidings. Though Death come near to you, though you see him on your
right hand and your left, and in front of you and behind you, I say,
fear not. Here you, who have known deep sorrow, shall find happiness and
rest, O maiden, with whom goes the spirit of one pure and fair as you,
who died so long ago."
Then, while Benita wondered at his words, spoken with such sweet
earnestness that although she believed nothing of them, they brought
a kind of comfort to her, he looked once more at her father and Jacob
Meyer, and, as it were with an effort, was silent.
"Have you no pleasant prophecy for me, old friend," said Jacob, "who
have come so far to hear it?"
At once the aged face grew inscrutable, all expression vanished behind a
hundred wrinkles, and he answered:
"None, white man--none that I am charged to deliver. Search the skies
for yourself, you who are so wise, and read them if you can.
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