For years my husband and I had vainly, incessantly striven to alleviate the general distress and consequent discontent of the people of our province, and now in silence we stood thinking, thinking. Presently my husband, sighing heavily, said, "Camariss[a:], my dearest one, I fear that my days are well nigh ended. The want and despair of the people weighs so heavily upon me, that I stagger, and grow faint under the burden. I know of no means by which we may afford them prosperity and happiness. Have the pitiful Gods put into your mind any thought that may serve to direct our future course?" After some hesitation I replied, "Lord of my life and love of my heart, I know not if in my slumber some God may have spoken to me, but I have had a singular, and what your wisdom may deem a foolish dream. Shall I relate it to you?" Smiling tenderly and sadly, he said, "Perchance in our extremity, Andûman[a:] may have sent a messenger to whisper to your sleeping senses. Tell me your dream. At least it will serve to occupy the passing moments." I then related that while I slumbered I dreamed that standing by his side, just as we then were standing, we looked far eastward, and from the base of the plateau, abounding streams flowed in that direction, while at intervals other waters flowed from the north and from the south, and borne on the bosom of a great waterway, huge vessels laden with people and the products of many lands passed to and fro, and that like some great bird with wide spreading wings, a beautiful city seemed as though brooding upon the shining waters. It was a grandly beautiful scene, and the wonder of it still remains in my memory. "Heart of my heart," I said, "I have told you my dream. How shall it be interpreted?" Silently, but with earnest attention my husband had listened to the recital of my dream, and as I proceeded, his flushing face, beaming eyes, and hurried breathing gave evidence of intense emotion. Clasping me to his heart he cried, "Surely, Andûman[a:], through His messenger has spoken to you, showing us a possible means whereby our unproductive lands may be reclaimed, and the impoverished peoples rescued from their present lamentable state. Camariss[a:], my dearest, we will strive to understand the full meaning of the message, and may Andûman[a:] and the pitiful gods aid us in our loving endeavor."