s, I have never slept. My
mind is a chaos. I will not think. If 'tis to be done, let it be done at
once. I am more tempted to sheathe this dagger in Jabaster's breast than
in Alroy's. If life or empire were the paltry stake, I would end a life
that now can bring no joy, and yield authority that hath no charm; but
Israel, Israel, thou for whom I have endured so much, let me forget
Jabaster had a mother!

'But for this thought that links me with my God, and leads my temper to
a higher state, how vain and sad, how wearisome and void, were this said
world they think of! But for this thought, I could sit down and die.
Yea! my great heart could crack, worn out, worn out; my mighty passions,
with their fierce but flickering flame, sink down and die; and the
strong brain that ever hath urged my course, and pricked me onward with
perpetual thought, desert the rudder it so long hath held, like some
baffled pilot in blank discomfiture, in the far centre of an unknown
sea.

'Study and toil, anxiety and sorrow, mighty action, perchance Time, and
disappointment, which is worse than all, have done their work, and not
in vain. I am no longer the same Jabaster that gazed upon the stars of
Caucasus. Methinks even they look dimmer than of yore. The glory of my
life is fading. My leaves are sear, tinged, but not tainted. I am still
the same in one respect; I have not left my God, in deed or thought. Ah!
who art thou?'

'A friend to Israel.'

'I am glad that Israel hath a friend. Noble Abi-dan, I have well
considered all that hath passed between us. Sooth to say, you touched
upon a string I've played before, but kept it for my loneliness; a
jarring tune, indeed a jarring tune, but so it is, and being so, let me
at once unto your friends, Abi-dan.'

'Noble Jabaster, thou art what I deemed thee.'

'Abidan, they say the consciousness of doing justly is the best basis of
a happy mind.'

'Even so.'

'And thou believest it?'

'Without doubt.'

'We are doing very justly?'

''Tis a weak word for such a holy purpose.'

'I am most wretched!'

The High Priest and his companion entered the house of Abidan. Jabaster
addressed the already assembled guests.

'Brave Scherirah, it joys me to find thee here. In Israel's cause when
was Scherirah wanting? Stout Zalmunna, we have not seen enough of each
other: the blame is mine. Gentle prophetess, thy blessing!

'Good friends, why we meet here is known to all. Little did we dream of
such a