o
it."

"O my son, my son!" broke from Abraham. "Thou hast been more righteous
than I. Come home with me, and tell the story to Belasez thyself; and
then--Adonai, Thou knowest. Help me to do Thy will!"

Bruno was evidently much astonished, and not a little perplexed at
Abraham's speech; but he followed him quietly. The storm was over now,
and they gained home and the chamber over the porch without coming in
contact with Delecresse. Abraham left Bruno there, while he desired
Belasez to take off her wet things and rejoin them. Meantime he changed
his coat, and carried up wine and cake to his guest. But when Belasez
reappeared, Abraham drew the bolt, and closed the inner baize door which
shut out all sound.

"Now, Bruno de Malpas," he said, "tell thy story."

And sitting down at the table, he laid his arms on it, and hid his face
upon it.

"But, my father, dost thou wish _her_ to hear it?"

"The Blessed One does, I believe. She has heard as yet but a garbled
version. I wish what He wishes."

"Amen!" ejaculated Bruno. And he turned to Belasez.

She, on her part, felt too much astonished for words. If any thing
could surprise her more than that Bruno should be actually invited to
tell the tapued story, it was the calm way in which Abraham received the
intimation that she had all but professed Christianity. Mortal anger
and scathing contempt she could have understood and expected; but this
was utterly beyond her.

"Belasez," said Bruno, "years ago, before thou wert born, thy father had
another daughter, and her name was Anegay."

"Father! you said Anegay was not my sister!" came in surprised accents
from Belasez. But a choking sob was the only answer from Abraham.

"She was not the daughter of thy mother, Belasez; but of thy father's
first wife, whose name was Fiona. Perhaps he meant that. She was
twenty years older than thou. And--I need not make my tale long--we
met, Belasez, and we loved each other. I told her of Christ, and she
became a Christian, and received holy baptism at my hands. By that time
thy father had wedded thy mother. As thou knowest, she is a staunch
Jewess; and though she did not by any means discover all, she did find
that Anegay had Christian friends, and forbade her to see them again.
Time went on, and we could scarcely ever meet, and Anegay was not very
happy. At length, one night, a ring was brought to me which was her
usual token, praying me to meet her quickly at th