In the _Talmud_ is a similar and better allegory. Rabbi Jachanan accompanied Elijah on a journey, and they came to the house of a poor man, whose only treasure was a cow. The man and his wife ran to meet and welcome the strangers, but next morning the poor man’s cow died. Next night they were coldly received by a proud, rich man, who fed them only with bread and water; and next morning Elijah sent for a mason to repair a wall which was falling down, in return for the hospitality received. Next night they entered a synagogue, and asked, “Who will give a night’s lodging to two travellers!” but none offered to do so. At parting, Elijah said, “I hope you will all be made presidents.” The following night they were lodged by the members of another synagogue in the best hotel of the place, and at parting Elijah said, “May the Lord appoint over you but one president.” The rabbi, unable to keep silence any longer, begged Elijah to explain the meaning of his dealings with men; and Elijah replied: “In regard to the poor man who received us so hospitably, it was decreed that his wife was to die that night, but, in reward of his kindness, God took the cow instead of the wife. I repaired the wall of the rich miser because a chest of gold was concealed near the place, and if the miser had repaired the wall he would have discovered the treasure. I said to the inhospitable synagogue, ‘May each member be president,’ because no one can serve two masters. I said to the hospitable synagogue, ‘May you have but one president,’ because with one head there can be no divisions of counsel. Say not, therefore, to the Lord, ‘What doest Thou?’ but say in thy heart, ‘Must not the Lord of all the earth do right’”—_The Talmud_ (“Trust in God”). =Hermite= (_Tristan l’_) or “Tristan of the Hospital,” provost-marshal of France. He was the main instrument in carrying out the nefarious schemes of Louis XI, who used to call him his “gossip.” Tristan was a stout, middle-sized man, with a hang-dog visage and most repulsive smile.—Sir W. Scott, _Quentin Durward_ and _Anne of Geierstein_ (time, Edward IV.). =Hero=, daughter of Leonāto, governor of Messi´na. She was of a quiet, serious disposition, and formed a good contrast to the gay, witty rattle-pate, called Beatrice, her cousin. Hero was about to be married to Lord Claudio, when Don John played on her a most infamous practical joke, out of malice. He bribed Hero’s waiting-woman to dress in Hero’s clothes, and to talk with him by moonlight from the chamber balcony; he then induced Claudio to hide himself in the garden, to overhear what was said. Claudio, thinking the person to be Hero, was furious, and next day at the altar rejected the bride with scorn. The priest, convinced of Hero’s innocence, gave out that she was dead, the servant confessed the trick, Don John took to flight, and Hero married Claudio, her betrothed.—Shakespeare, _Much Ado about Nothing_ (1600).