igned, to be given to vengeance. Behold
how they cling to each other--how they assist each other in
distress;--and charity is not narrowed to small circles, my lord, it is
a sentiment which must become expansive, because it nourisheth itself
and is cherished by those good feelings which are its only reward. Think
you, my lord, that if I saw a fellow-creature starving in the street, I
should wait to ask him whether he were a Christian, a Jew, or a
Mussulman? Oh! no--no; the world's bread was given for men of all
nations and all creeds!"

Isaachar would have continued his address to the grand inquisitor; but
sheer exhaustion compelled him to desist--and he would have sunk upon
the cold marble, had not the familiars supported him.

"By his own words is he convicted of disbelief in the most holy Catholic
faith," said the grand inquisitor. "But I find, by a memorial which was
addressed to me many mouths ago--indeed, very shortly after the arrest
of this miserable unbeliever--and signed by Manuel Marquis of Orsini,
that the said marquis hath important evidence to give on behalf of the
Jew. Now, though Manuel d'Orsini be himself a prisoner of the holy
office, yet as he hath not yet been judged, he is a competent witness."

Orders were then given to introduce the marquis; and Isaachar ben
Solomon murmured to himself, "Is it possible that the young man can have
felt sympathy for me? Ah, then I was not mistaken in him; in spite of
his dissipation and his wildness he possesses a generous heart."

In a few minutes the Marquis of Orsini was led into the judgment-hall.
He was chained;--but he carried his head erect--and, though his
countenance was pale and careworn, his spirit was not crushed. He bowed
respectfully, but not cringingly, to the grand inquisitor, and bestowed
a friendly nod of recognition upon the Jew.

"This memorial, dated in the month of March last, was signed by you?"
said the grand inquisitor interrogatively, as he displayed a paper to
the marquis.

"That memorial was signed by me," answered Orsini, in a firm tone, "and
I rejoice that your eminence has at length granted me an opportunity of
explaining the matter hinted at therein. Your eminence sits there, it is
presumed, to administer justice; then let justice be done toward this
innocent man--albeit that he is a Jew--for solemnly do I declare that
the blood which stained the floor in Isaachar's house flowed from my
right arm. And it may not be amiss to obse