ed to bear any torture, to
have been able to exchange places with one so little fitted, as she
thought, to endure. Sorely tried was the faith of the Hebrew lady; how
little could she imagine that the prayers of many years were being
answered by means of the very misfortune which was rending the cords of
her heart.

In the misery of her soul, all Hadassah's physical weakness and pain
seemed forgotten. Before morning she had dragged her feeble steps to
the gate of the prison which held her child, with the faithful Anna for
her only attendant. In vain Hadassah implored for admission; in vain
offered to share the captivity of Zarah, if she might be but permitted
to see her. She was driven away by the guards, with insolent taunts,
only to return again and again, like a bird to its plundered nest! But
no complaining word, no murmuring against the decree of Him who had
appointed her sore trial, was heard from Hadassah; only that sublime
expression of unshaken faith, _Though He slay me, yet will I trust in
Him_.

Then the widow thought of Lycidas the Greek. She had a claim upon his
gratitude, and she knew that Zarah had a place in his affections. With
his wealth, his talent, his eloquence, might he not help to save her
child?

"Anna," said Hadassah to her handmaid, "could we but find the Greek
stranger, he might afford us aid and advice in this our sore need. But
I know not where he abides."

"Joab would know," observed the Jewess, "and I know the quarter of the
town in which he dwells with his mother's sister, Hephzibah; for I have
dealt with her for olives and melons. But, lady, you are weary, the
heat of the sun is now great; seek some place of shelter and rest while
I go in search of Joab."

"There is no rest for me till I find my Zarah; and what care I for
shelter when she has but that of a prison!" cried Hadassah.

The two women then proceeded on their quest to a quarter of Jerusalem
inhabited only by the poorest of the people. Simple as were the
garments worn by the widow lady, she carried with her so unmistakably
the stamp of a person of distinction, that her appearance there excited
surprise amongst the half-clad, half-starved children that stared at
her as she passed along. The street was so narrow that the women,
meeting a loaded camel in it, had to stand close to the wall on one
side, to suffer the unwieldy beast to pass on the other. Hungry lean
dogs were growling over well-picked bones cast for