Utter weariness closed Orondo’s eyes for a moment, and Setos refrained from further speech. “Let kindness of heart prompt thee to fill a pipe for me,” said the patient, presently. When it was handed to him, he said with a wan smile: “Let us indulge our nerves with a harmless sedative as a step in the right direction. I shall wait until thy bowl is filled.” Setos hastened to comply, and after the first three whiffs, which were always silent fire-offerings, said: “Ildiko refuses to be comforted because of thy continued absence from our house. She grieves for thy affliction, and sends her best thoughts.” “Beauty and goodness are the crown of fair Ildiko. It is not possible for me to do more than receive such flattering unction. I am indeed undone,” he made answer, catching his breath painfully. “The priestess Kerœcia, and her sweet maids are much concerned for thy misfortune. Hanabusa has already been twice to hear if reason came back to thee.” “I pray thee leave me,” cried Orondo, piteously. “My heart!” he gasped, as the chief shaman bent over him hurriedly, in response to Setos’s call. “All matters of importance must rest while this man regains control of his better physique,” said the shaman, authoritatively. “It were cruel to tax him at this time.” “Nothing except friendly greeting passed between us,” declared Setos, much exercised at the sudden bad turn apparent in Orondo. “I will come again at nightfall,” he said. “Be thou content with inquiry, only,” returned the shaman, still frowning over the complete undoing of all his labor. “The sun must be on the earth’s magnetic meridian before quiet will come again to our patient,” said the chief shaman, as he prepared to go out for an airing, after working over Orondo for one hour. “The sun will not be below the horizon until the seventh marking of the gnomon, and until that time we can only wait and watch,” he said, in answer to Yermah’s anxious question. “Setos has injured his rest greatly, but he has asked for thee more than once. If thou wilt exercise caution, thou mayst go to him.” “I understand Orondo,” replied Yermah. “I have stayed away because I feared to excite him. I am glad that I may see him.” Yermah came quietly and put his hand on Orondo’s head. He knew how to still the throbbing, uncontrolled emotion dividing the sick man’s mental and physical self. Without a word, he willed him peace, and after a time Orondo opened his eyes and seemed to breathe easier. “The Master of the Hidden Spheres, who causes the principles to arise, give thee peace, Orondo.” Orondo made no reply; his lips quivered and his eyes filled. Yermah took both his hands, and, looking at him steadily, said: “Part of thy burden falls upon me. I will share physical pain with thee.”