together until a late hour and several of my
companions indulged freely in wine. Before we left the scene of our
carousal they had become quite boisterous. I was more sedate than usual,
though entering into the spirit of the occasion. At that late hour the
watchmen, or guards, of the city found it necessary to interfere and
check our hilarity. A fight ensued in which I took part. Being recognized
by one of the officers, I fled the city rather than face the disgrace of
trial and punishment. Taking leave of my sisters, I was soon far from the
land of my birth. My last act was to present to my favorite sister the
harp which thou hast seen and heard to-night.

"My dear friend, judge of my surprise and joy when I recognized in the
maid of Judah one of my own relatives. The beautiful and noble orphan who
is your daughter's companion in this house is none other than my own
niece.

"I feel that my long neglect of my surviving relatives makes me unworthy
even to serve them, but I am determined now that this sweet damsel shall
share in my wealth and enjoy all the advantages which my efforts can
obtain for her, together with her worthy brothers. In this way I can make
partial atonement for the mistakes of the past."

This remarkable revelation was soon made known to the excited company.
With a cry of joy the fair maid of Judah fell into the arms of her uncle.
Tears fell from every eye. The "Lily of the Valley" wept, and so did the
brave soldier, her father, and so did young Mathias. The scene was one
that pen cannot adequately describe, but happiness was supreme in the
household.

CHAPTER XIII.

AT THE school, agreeable to the expectations of Barzello, the four
Hebrews made astonishing progress in their multiform studies. Those
profound sciences which had cost their teachers years of ceaseless toil
were, by these four young men, mastered with apparent ease. They soon
became objects of wonder to their instructors, and were pronounced
favorites of the gods. Ashpenaz often would have an interview with them,
and soon they became the objects, not only of his admiration, but also of
his friendship. This became visible to their fellow-students, and
jealousy, accompanied by malice, found a ready entrance to more than one
heart. Alas, for poor fallen humanity!

Among the students from the city of Babylon there were two young men,
brothers, whose father, by a sudden freak of fortune, had arrived at the
possession of much wealth.