eace, good friend!" interrupted Oliver sternly; "justice must have its
due; and, by God's blessing, while we are Protector, all the gold your
tribe is worth shall not turn the scale! We would be merciful for
mercy's sake; but for justice--Yet pardon me," he added in compassion to
the Rabbi's horror, "I would not trifle with a father's feelings--she is
guiltless of murder."

He struck the table with the butt-end of his pistol--a private door of
the library opened as of itself--not one, but two females stood beneath
its shadow, each supporting each, as if the one weak creature thought
she could lend a portion of much needed strength to the other. Lady
Frances and Constantia sprang from their seats--all distinction of rank
was forgotten, and Mistress Cecil wept over her affectionate
bower-maiden, as an elder over a younger sister, or even as a mother
over a beloved child. She asked no questions, but kissed her brow and
wept; while Barbara stood curtseying, and smiling, and crying, and
glancing with evident satisfaction, amid her tears, towards her father
and Robin, as if she would have said, "See how my lady, my grand lady,
loves me!"

It did not escape the observation of Lady Frances that Barbara wore the
chain she had given her, and she most heartily wished her father at
Whitehall, or elsewhere, that she might have an opportunity of asking
all the questions at once suggested by her busy brain.

It is impossible to convey an adequate idea of the meeting between the
Jew and his daughter. It was with feelings of terror, more than of
affection, that Zillah prepared to encounter a justly offended parent.
She had heard and believed that crime such as hers--marrying or
intriguing with Christians--was punished by a lingering and cruel death;
and scarcely could the word of Cromwell, pledged twice for her safety,
convince her that such would not be her fate. She instantly prostrated
herself at the Rabbi's feet; and it would seem that, assured of his
daughter's life--assured of her safety under laws--British laws--his
eastern notions with regard to the submission due from woman to her
master, man, returned to him in full force; for he suffered her to
remain, her forehead resting on the ground, and her hands clasped around
it, although he was so deeply agitated that he clung to a pedestal for
support.

The Protector arose from his seat, and, advancing, kindly and tenderly
raised the poor victim of confiding but too violent passi