fidence I would give thee two talents, and
thy father one talent, and, besides, I should be ashamed of giving thee
so little, for Thou deservest that the pharaoh himself should fondle
thee, and the heir of the throne, and the worthy minister Herhor, and
the most valiant Nitager, and the richest bankers of the Phoenicians.
There is such a taste in thee that I grow faint when I gaze at thee,
and when I see thee not, I close my eyes and lick my lips. Thou art
sweeter than figs, more fragrant than roses. I would give thee five
talents. Take this goblet, Sarah."

Sarah drew back with drooping eyes.

"I will not take the goblet," answered she; "my lord forbade me to take
gifts from any one."

Dagon was astonished, and looked with widely opened eyes at her.

"Then it must be that Thou knowest not, Sarah, the value of this
goblet. But I give it to thy father, who is my brother."

"I cannot take it," whispered Sarah.

"Oh!" cried Dagon. "Then thou, Sarah, wilt pay me for this goblet in
another way, without speaking to thy lord. But a woman as beautiful as
Thou must have gold and jewels, and should have her own banker to bring
her money when she pleases, not alone when her lord likes."

"I cannot!" whispered Sarah, without concealing her repulsion for the
banker.

The Phoenician changed his tone in the twinkle of an eye, and said
laughing,

"Very good, Sarah! I only wished to convince myself that Thou art
faithful to our lord. I see that Thou art faithful, though foolish, as
people say."

"What?" burst out Sarah, rushing at Dagon with clinched fist.

"Ha! ha!" laughed the Phoenician. "What a pity that our lord could not
hear and see thee this moment! But I will tell him, when he is in good
humor, that Thou art not only as faithful as a dog to him, but even
that Thou wouldst not accept a gold goblet because he has not permitted
thee to take presents. And this goblet, believe me, Sarah, has tempted
more than one woman, and women who were not of small importance."

Dagon sat awhile admiring the virtue and obedience of Sarah; at last he
took farewell of her with much feeling, sat down in his tented boat,
and sailed away toward Memphis. When the boat had pushed off from the
country house, the smile vanished from the banker's face, and an
expression of anger came out thereon. When Sarah's house was hidden
behind the trees, Dagon stood up and raised his hands.

"O Baal of Sidon, O Astoreth!" said he, "avenge my insult on