ty work. Then come you forward, show, if it need,
with tears, the fated body to the soldiery, and announce the Theocracy.'

'It is the Lord who speaks,' said Abidan, who was doubtless prepared for
the proposition. 'He has delivered them into our hands.'

'A bold plan,' said Jabaster, musing, 'and yet I like it. 'Tis quick,
and that is something. I think 'tis sure.'

'It cannot fail,' exclaimed Zalmunna, 'for if the flame ascend not,
still we are but where we were.'

'I am for it,' said Scherirah.

'Well, then,' said Jabaster, 'so let it be. Tomorrow's eve will see us
here again prepared. Good night.'

'Good night, holy Priest. How seem the stars, Jabaster?'

'Very troubled; so have they been some days. What they portend I know
not.'

'Health to Israel.'

'Let us hope so. Good night, sweet friends.'

'Good night, holy Jabaster. Thou art our cornerstone.'

'Israel hath no other hope but in Jabaster.'

'My Lord,' said Abidan, 'remain, I pray, one moment.'

'What is't? I fain would go.'

'Alroy must die, my Lord, but dost thou think a single death will seal
the covenant?'

'The woman?'

'Ay! the woman! I was not thinking of the woman. Asriel, Ithamar,
Medad?'

'Valiant soldiers! doubt not we shall find them useful instruments. I
do not fear such loose companions. They follow their leaders, like other
things born to obey. Having no head themselves, they must follow us who
have.'

'I think so too. There is no other man who might be dangerous?'

Zalmunna and Scherirah cast their eyes upon the ground. There was a dead
silence, broken by the prophetess.

'A judgment hath gone forth against Honain!' 'Nay! he is Lord Jabaster's
brother,' said Abidan.

'It is enough to save a more inveterate foe to Israel, if such there
be.'

'I have no brother, Sir. The man you speak of I will not slay, since
there are others who may do that deed. And so again, good night.'

It was the dead of night, a single lamp burned in the chamber, which
opened into an arched gallery that descended by a flight of steps into
the gardens of the Serail.

A female figure ascended the flight with slow and cautious steps. She
paused on the gallery, she looked around, one foot was in the chamber.

She entered. She entered a chamber of small dimensions, but richly
adorned. In the farthest corner was a couch of ivory, hung with a gauzy
curtain of silver tissue, which, without impeding respiration, protected
the slumberer from the fell