f a welcome home," said Barzello,
affectionately taking Perreeza by the hand; "in Jupheena thou wilt find a
worthy companion and an affectionate friend."

"Thy daughter," answered Jupheena, "will always esteem it a high pleasure
to add to the happiness of her young friend."

"And Jehovah assisting me," cried the Hebrew maid, "I will endeavor so to
walk before my kind protectors as to be always worthy of their friendly
regard."

"If it be pleasing to thy young friend," said Barzello, addressing
himself to his daughter, "she may be again conducted to inform her
brothers of her new home."

"My brothers will be overjoyed," answered Perreeza, "to learn of the
happiness of their sister; and to me, it will afford the greatest
pleasure to convey to them the joyful intelligence."

"If it will please my daughter," said Barzello, "she may accompany us.
What sayest thou, Jupheena?"

"Thy daughter most gratefully accepts thy kind offer."

"Our young friend, peradventure, will be pleased to see her brothers and
cousin without any delay, while Jupheena will accompany her father on an
errand of business at the house of an officer nearby. Thou mayest inform
thy brothers and cousin that we shall call and see them presently."

Perreeza embraced the opportunity, and, thanking the officer with one of
her peculiar smiles, hurried to their apartment.

"Back again, precious Perreeza!" cried Azariah, hastening to meet her.
"And did our sister see the king's officer and his young daughter, of
whom Barzello spoke?"

"I did!" exclaimed his sister, while unusual joy beamed in her
countenance.

"And from thy countenance I am prepared to judge that the interview has
been a happy one," said her cousin Daniel.

"Never was there a happier interview, cousin. The noble officer's
kindness is unbounded, and his daughter is one of the loveliest beings I
ever beheld."

"Perreeza, I trust, will not forget the kindness of Barzello, in the
warmth of her gratitude to her new friend," said Azariah.

"Never fear that, my dear brother. The remembrance of Barzello's kindness
is too deeply graven on Perreeza's heart to be ever forgotten; and while
I remain under the roof of the king's officer, I shall daily become more
and more deeply indebted to the kind Barzello."

"It must be that through his kind interposition our beloved sister found
so good a home," said Mishael, "and if this officer, under whose roof she
has found a shelter, partakes of the s