xiety and alarm.

"Lady, forgive the intrusion," said Lycidas, bending in lowly
salutation before the startled girl; "but regard for your safety
compels me to seek this interview. I was to-day in company with
Lysimachus, the Syrian courtier--how we chanced to be together, or
wherefore he mentioned to me what I am about to disclose, matters
little, and I would be brief. Lysimachus told me that, from
information which he had received--how, I know not--he had cause to
suspect that the maiden who some half-year back had been sentenced by
the king to death if she refused to apostatize from her faith, was
living secluded in a dwelling amongst the hills to the east of the
city. The Syrian declared that he was resolved to-morrow morn to
explore thoroughly every spot which could possibly afford a place of
concealment to the maiden--whom he intends to seize and send as a
prisoner into Persia, to the merciless tyrant whom he serves."

Zarah turned very pale at the tidings, and leaned on her wheel for
support.

"You must fly to-night, dearest lady," said Lycidas; "this dwelling is
no longer a safe asylum for you."

"Whither can I fly, and how?" murmured the orphan girl. "I have no
friend here except"--Zarah hesitated, and Lycidas completed the
sentence.

"Except one to whom your lightest wish is a command; to whom every hair
of your head is dearer than life!" exclaimed the Athenian.

"Speak not thus to me, Lycidas," said Zarah, in a tone of entreaty;
"you know too well the impassable barrier which divides us."

"Not impassable, Zarah," cried the Greek; "it has been thrown down, I
have trampled over it, and it separates us no longer. Hear me, O
daughter of Abraham! Much have I learned since last I stood on this
threshold; deeply have I studied your Scriptures; long have I secretly
conversed with the wise and learned who could instruct me in your
faith. I am now persuaded that there is no God but one God--He who
revealed Himself to Abraham: I have renounced every heathen
superstition; I have in all things conformed to the law of Moses; I
have been formally received as a proselyte into the Jewish Church; and
am now, like Achor the Ammonite, in everything save name and birth, a
Hebrew."

Zarah could not refrain from uttering an exclamation of delight. Her
whole countenance suddenly lighted up with an expression of happiness,
which was reflected on that of him who stood before her--for in that
blissful moment Lycidas