ul retreat of
Giorgias. A courier has ridden off, post-haste, bearer of despatches
from the king to Lycias, the regent of the western provinces."

"Is it known what the despatches contain?" asked Hadassah.

"It is reported in the city," said Anna, "that Lycias is to raise a
more mighty and terrible army than any that has swept the country
before--more mighty than those led by Apollonius, Seron, or Nicanor.
King Antiochus has sworn by all his false gods that he will destroy the
Asmoneans root and branch."

"What God hath planted, who shall root up? what God prospers, who
shall destroy?" cried Hadassah. "Thinks Antiochus Epiphanes that he
hath power to strive against the Lord?"

"He has terrible power to use against man," said Anna, who had a less
courageous spirit than her mistress. "Sharper measures than ever, it
is said, are to be taken to put down our secret worship. Woe unto them
who are found keeping the Passover to-morrow! It will be done unto
them, as it was done to Solomona and her sons."

"Would that God would give me strength to attend the holy Feast!" cried
Hadassah, on whom the idea of danger following its celebration appeared
to act as a stimulant; "no fear of man should keep me away. But He who
withholds the power accepts the will of His servant."

"I will go with my uncle Abishai," said Zarah.

"To rejoice and give thanks," cried Hadassah.

But Zarah's sinking heart could not respond to any accents of joy. She
bowed her head on he clasped hands, and faintly murmured,--

"To pray for you, for myself, and--"

No human ear could catch the word which pale lips inaudibly framed.

"Go to our young Greek guest, Anna," Hadassah. "Bear to him some of
this ripe, cooling fruit, and tell him of the triumphs of Judas.
Though Lycidas be but a heathen," she added, as her handmaiden quitted
the apartment to do her bidding, "he has a soul to admire, if he cannot
emulate, the lofty deeds of our heroes."

In a brief space of time Anna returned to the upper room, with alarm
and surprise depicted on her face.

"I can nowhere find the Greek lord," she exclaimed. "He has made his
escape from the house. There is nothing left but his mantle, and that
had fallen near the spring."

Hadassah glanced inquiringly at Zarah. But the maiden betrayed no
surprise, uttered no word. She only trembled a little, as if from
cold; for the sultry heat of Nisan seemed to her suddenly to have
changed to the chill of win