home, and buy some bread," he said.

"And here, pretty lad, know you the touch of gold?" said Amzi, as he
slipped another coin into the child's hand. "Now, Yusuf," he went on,
"come, let us see your Jewish friends of yester-even."

"Alas, Amzi, these are they," returned the priest, sadly, "and I fear
yon poor woman feels little like talking to us in the freshness of her
grief."

Amzi laughed, mysteriously. "So your teacher has proved but a common Jew
thief," he said.

Yusuf turned almost fiercely. "Do you believe this vile story?" he
exclaimed. "Did you not see truth stamped upon Nathan's face?"

"You must admit that circumstances are against him. The proof seems
conclusive."

"I will never believe it, were the proof produced by their machinations
ten times as conclusive! There is some mystery here which I will
unravel!"

"My poor Yusuf, you are too credulous in respect to these people. So be
it. You believe in your Jews, I shall believe in my Mohammed, until the
tale told is a different one," laughed Amzi; and for the moment Yusuf
felt helpless.

CHAPTER VII.

YUSUF STUDIES THE SCRIPTURES.--CONNECTING EVENTS.

"Surely an humble husbandman that serveth God is better than a
proud philosopher who, neglecting himself, is occupied in
studying the course of the heavens."--_Thomas a Kempis._

For many weeks, even months, after this, Yusuf's life, to one who knew
not the workings of his mind, seemed colorless, and filled with a
monotonous round of never-varying occupation. Yet in those few weeks he
lived more than in all his life before. Life is not made up of either
years or actions--the development of thought and character is the
important thing; and in this period of apparent waiting, Yusuf grew and
developed in the light of his new understanding.

He read and thought and studied, and yet found time for paying some
attention to outer affairs. In Persia he had amassed a considerable
fortune, which he had conveyed to Mecca in the form of jewels sewn into
his belt and into the seams of his garments, hence he was abundantly
able to pay his way, and to expend something in charity; and between his
and Amzi's generosity the family of Nathan lacked nothing.

Yusuf obtained possession of parts of the Scriptures, written on
parchment, and spent every morning in their perusal, ever finding this
period a precious feast full of comforting assurances, and
hope-inspiring promises. He never forgot to pr