statecraft as well as mercantile affairs.

Early one evening Barzello had succeeded in persuading Joram to accompany
him home. He had spoken of the young captives and the beautiful Perreeza,
and wished the merchant and his family to know them. The two elderly men
were accompanied to the officer's house by Mathias, the adopted son of
Joram. They were warmly greeted by Jupheena, who smilingly conducted
Mathias to another part of the house for the purpose of introducing him
to Perreeza.

"Maid of Judah," said Jupheena, "I have the pleasure of presenting thee
to the honorable Mathias, son of our most excellent Joram."

At these words the maid arose with calmness and beautiful dignity,
appearing like an angel in human form, and gently responded to the very
low bow of the young Babylonian. The conversation soon became animated.
Mathias talked with all the warmth of his noble nature, producing a very
favorable impression on the mind of the maid of Judah.

"To me it is quite refreshing," said Perreeza, "to hear a name that is
familiar in Israel. I have many relatives in Judah who are called by thy
name."

"Our national feelings are strong," said the young man, "and, if I have
learned correctly, this feeling is said to be stronger in the Hebrew
heart than in all others."

"I am not so well prepared to vouch for the correctness of the
sentiment," said Perreeza, "but if my own feelings be an index to the
sentiments of others of my nation, the saying is abundantly true."

"It is certainly an admirable trait of character," said the young man,
"and the individual in a foreign land who can think of the home of his
fathers without strong emotion is not, in my opinion, an individual to be
envied."

"Permit the maid of Judah to thank her friend for that noble sentiment."

Here the conversation was arrested by a signal from Barzello, and the
young people went forward to join the other members of the family.

"This is Perreeza, of the royal line of Judah," said Barzello, taking the
maid gently by the hand, "whom I have the great pleasure of presenting to
my illustrious friend Joram."

The blushing maid modestly bowed while Joram took her by the hand and
said, with unusual feeling, "May the blessing of the God of thy fathers,
dear maid, accompany thy footsteps in a foreign land."

This blessing from the lips of a Babylonian was deeply appreciated by the
young woman, who was already touched by the kindness with which she was
me