p of tenderness how
young he was. In all her relations with Kenkenes she had seen him in
the manliest roles. She had depended upon him, looked up to him, and
had felt secure in his protection. Now she contemplated a face from
which content had erased the mature lines that care had drawn. The
curve of his lips, the length of the drooping lashes, the roundness of
cheek, and the softness of throat, were youthful--boyish. With this
enlightenment her love for him experienced a transfiguration. She
seemed to grow older than he; the maternal element leaped to the fore;
their positions were instantly reversed. It was hers to care for him!

After a long time, his arms relaxed about her, and she undid them and
disposed them in easy position. Lifting the fillet from his brow, she
smoothed out the mark it had made and settled the cushions more softly
under his head. From the heap of coverings she took the amplest and
the softest and spread it over him. Remembering that the wind from the
sea blew shrewdly at night, she laid rugs about the edges of the tent
which fluttered in the breeze and returned again to his side.

After another space of rapt contemplation of his unconscious face she
went forth and drew the entrance together behind her.

The next daybreak was the happiest Israel had known in a hundred years.
Egypt, overthrown and humbled, was behind them; God was with them, and
Canaan was just ahead--perhaps only beyond the horizon. Few but would
have laughed at the glory of Babylonia, Assyria and the great powers.

For had it not been promised that out of Israel nations should be made,
and kings should come?

The march was to be taken up immediately, and in the cool of the
morning the host was ready to advance.

Rachel had not permitted herself to be seen until the tent of Miriam
was struck. She knew that Kenkenes was without, waiting for her, and
with the delightful inconsistency of maidenhood, she dreaded while she
longed to meet her beloved again. And when the moment arrived she
slipped across the open space to the camel that was to bear her into
Canaan, but in the shadow of the faithful creature, Kenkenes overtook
her and folded her in his arms.

"A blessing on thee, my sweet! And I am blest in having thee once
more."

"Didst thou sleep well?" she asked.

"Most industriously, since I made up what I lost and overlapped a
little. And yet I was abroad at dawn prowling about thy tent lest thou
shouldst