th can swim through stormy waters," replied Hadassah;
"but--may I be forgiven the inhospitable thought!--I would that the
Greek had come to any other house rather than to mine."

"So few visitors ever seek this spot--so few strangers ever pass it--we
lead lives so retired--we can, better than most, conceal a guest,"
observed Zarah.

The brow of Hadassah was clouded still. In that small dwelling, with a
fair girl under her care, the widow lady was unwilling to harbour for
weeks, or more probably months, a man, and that man a Gentile.
Anxiously she revolved the matter in her mind, but no other course
seemed to open before her. She could not be guilty of the cruelty of
turning the helpless sufferer out to die.

"On Abishai's account," said Hadassah, "I dare not seek out the friends
of the Greek, if friends he have in Jerusalem, and ask them to bear him
thence. To do that, after Abishai's murderous attempt on his life,
would be to deliver over Miriam's husband to the executioner's sword.
This young man is bound alike by honour and gratitude to preserve
silence as to what passed by the grave; but there is nothing to prevent
him from seeking, and much to induce him to seek, retribution on a
would-be assassin, who violated the pledge of safety given to the
Greek. Would, I repeat, that this stranger had come to any house
rather than mine!"

"Mother, remember your dream!" exclaimed Zarah, who, in the secret
depths of her heart, did not share Hadassah's regret. Compassion for
the suffering--admiration for the beautiful and brave,--combined to
awaken in the maiden strong interest in the fate of the stranger.
Zarah was well pleased that her grandmother's hospitality should be to
him some reparation for a deep wrong sustained from one of her family.

"Yes," said Hadassah, thoughtfully; "that dream must have been sent to
prepare me for this. The Lord hath given me a work to perform, and He
will not let His servant suffer for striving to do His bidding. The
wounded stranger, Gentile though he be, needs hospitality, and I dare
not refuse it. If the Lord hath guided him to the home of Hadassah,
the Lord will send a blessing with him." And trying to stifle her
misgivings, the widow lady returned to her guest.

CHAPTER VI.

THE JOURNEY HOME.

Before the sun had risen above the horizon on that day, Judas, son of
Mattathias, of the noble family of the Asmoneans, started on his long
homeward journey. He had not re-e