Catching at the robe of faith, she
held the spirit fast, and it stayed with her.
Suddenly she felt at peace, sure as a child that she would be taught
what to do next. There was her star, floating in the blue lake of the
sky, like a water lily, where millions of lesser lilies blossomed.
"Dear star," she whispered, "thank you for coming. I needed you just
then."
"Are you better?" asked Saidee in a choked voice.
Victoria turned away from sky and desert to the drooping figure of the
woman, standing in a pool of shadow, dark as fear and treachery.
"Yes, dearest one, I am well again, and I won't have to worry you any
more." The girl gently wound two protecting arms round her sister.
"What have you decided to do?"
Victoria could feel Saidee's heart beating against her own.
"I've decided to pray about deciding, and then to decide. Whatever's
best for you, I will do, I promise."
"And for yourself. Don't forget that I'm thinking of you. Don't believe
it's _all_ cowardice."
"I don't believe anything but good of my Saidee."
"I envy you, because you think you've got Someone to pray to. I've
nothing. I'm--alone in the dark."
Victoria made her look up at the moon which flooded the night with a sea
of radiance. "There is no dark," she said. "We're together--in the
light."
"How hopeful you are!" Saidee murmured. "I've left hope so far behind,
I've almost forgotten what it's like."
"Maybe it's always been hovering just over your shoulder, only you
forgot to turn and see.
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