aint, but the
moment her quick ear caught these words she sprang up, and seized her
brother's arm.

'Alroy! David! brother, dear brother! I beseech thee, listen, I am thy
sister, thy Miriam; they come, they come, the hard-hearted, wicked men,
they come, to kill, perhaps to torture thee, my tender brother. Rouse
thyself, David; rouse thyself from this wild, fierce dream: save
thyself, fly!'

'Ah! is it thou, Miriam? Thou seest he sleepeth soundly. I was dreaming
of noble purposes and mighty hopes. Tis over now. I am myself again.
What wouldst thou?'

'They come, the fierce retainers of this fallen man; they come to seize
thee. Fly, David!'

'And leave thee?'

'I and my maidens, we have yet time to escape by the private way we
entered, our uncle's garden. When in his house, we are for a moment
safe, as safe as our poor race can ever be. Bostenay is so rich, so
wise, so prudent, so learned in man's ways, and knows so well the
character and spirit of these men, all will go right; I fear nothing.
But thou, if thou art here, or to be found, thy blood alone will satiate
them. If they be persuaded that thou hast escaped, as I yet pray thou
mayest, their late master here, whom they could scarcely love, why, give
me thy arm an instant, sweet Beruna. So, that's well. I was saying, if
well bribed,--and they may have all my jewels,--why, very soon, he will
be as little in their memories as he is now in life. I can scarcely
speak; I feel my words wander, or seem to wander; I could swoon, but
will not; nay! do not fear. I will reach home. These maidens are my
charge. 'Tis in these crises we should show the worth of royal blood.
I'll see them safe, or die with them.'

'O! my sister, methinks I never knew I was a brother until this hour. My
precious Miriam, what is life? what is revenge, or even fame and freedom
without thee? I'll stay.'

'_SWEET IS THE VOICE OF A SISTER IN THE SEASON OF SORROW, AND WISE IS
THE COUNSEL OF THOSE WHO LOVE US_.'

'Fly, David, fly!'

'Fly! whither and how?'

The neigh of a horse sounded from the thicket.

'Ah! they come!' exclaimed the distracted Miriam.

'_ALL THIS HAS COME UPON US, O LORD! YET HAVE WE NOT FORGOTTEN THEE,
NEITHER HAVE WE DEALT FALSELY IN THY COVENANT_.'

'Hark! again it neighs! It is a horse that calleth to its rider. I see
it. Courage, Miriam! it is no enemy, but a very present friend in time
of trouble. It is Alschiroch's courser. He passed me on it by the tomb
ere sun