h what was going on in the young man's mind, did not
detain him; but his manner changed once more; he again became the
pressing host and invited his guest, as it was growing late, to pass
the night under his roof. Orion politely declined, and when at length
he quitted the room--without deigning even to look at the Negro--Amru
accompanied him into the anteroom. There he grasped the young man's
hand, and said in a low voice full of sincere and fatherly interest:

"Beware of the Negro; you let him perceive that you saw through him--it
was brave but rash. For my part I honestly wish you well."

"I believe it, I know it," replied Orion, on whose perturbed soul the
noble Arab's warm, deep accents fell like balm. "And now we are alone I
will gladly confide in you. I, my Lord, I--my father--you knew him. In
cruel wrath, before he closed his eyes, he withdrew his blessing from
his only son."

The memory of the most fearful hour of his life choked his voice for a
moment, but he soon went on: "One single act of criminal folly roused
his anger; but afterwards, in grief and penitence, I thought over my
whole life, and I saw how useless it had been; and now, when I came
hither with a heart full of glad expectancy to place all I have to offer
of mind and gifts at your disposal, I did so, my Lord, because I long
to achieve great and noble, and difficult or, if it might be, impossible
deeds--to be active, to be doing..."

Here he was interrupted by Amru, who said, laying his sinewy arm across
the youth's shoulders:

"And because you long to let the spirit of your dead father, that
righteous man, see that a heedless act of youthful recklessness has not
made you unworthy of his blessing; because you hope by valiant deeds to
compel his wrath to turn to approval, his scorn to esteem..."

"Yes, yes, that is the thing, the very thing!" Orion broke in with fiery
enthusiasm; but the Arab eagerly signed to him to lower his voice, as
though to cheat some listener, and whispered hastily, but with warm
kindliness:

"And I, I will help you in this praiseworthy endeavor. Oh, how much
you remind me of the son of my heart who, like you, erred, and who was
permitted to atone for all, for more than all by dying like a hero for
his faith on the field of battle!--Count on me, and let your purpose
become deed. In me you have found a friend.--Now, go. You shall hear
from me before long. But, once more: Do not provoke the Negro; beware of
him; and the