"Oh, what a mercy-stroke to her was that which let her follow them!" exclaimed Zarah. "Had she been left to survive all whom she loved, Solomona had been the most wretched woman on earth!" "No; not the most wretched," said Hadassah, with deep feeling, "for they all died in the faith. Better, all, far better to lose seven by death, than one by--by treason against God!" And in an almost inaudible voice the aged lady added, closing her eyes, "Must I know that misery twice?" "No, mother, mine own dear mother, you shall never know that misery through me!" exclaimed Zarah with animation. "I will pray, I will strive, I will try to put away, even from my thoughts, all that would come between me and the faith of a daughter of Abraham, only guide me, help me, tell your child what she should do," and the maiden passionately kissed again and again the hand of Hadassah, and then pillowed her aching head on her parent's bosom. Hadassah folded her there in a long and tender embrace. "I would send you to Bethsura, to my aged cousin, Rachel," said the widow, "only"-- "Oh, send me not away; let me stay beside you; your health is failing; I should never know peace afar from you!" sobbed Zarah, in a tone of entreaty. "I dare not send my child to Idumea, with no safe escort, and the Syrians, men of Belial, holding the land," said Hadassah. "Better keep her here under my wing, in the quiet seclusion of my home. But, oh, my child, attend to the voice of your mother; you must avoid meeting the Gentile stranger; you must be little in the lower apartments, Zarah, and never save when I am there also. Your trial will not last long; the Athenian's wounds are healing; after the Passover-feast, Abishai will leave Jerusalem to join the patriot band. When he is once safe beyond reach of the enemy, I will no longer for one hour harbour Lycidas under my roof; he has been here far too long already. Your painful struggle will now last but a short time, my Zarah." Zarah thought, though she did not say so, that the heart struggle would last as long as her earthly existence. "You will obey me, my daughter?" asked the widow; "you will shun the too attractive society of the stranger?" The maiden bowed her head in assent, and murmured, "Pray for me, mother; I am so weak." "My life shall be one prayer," said Hadassah. "Mine--one sacrifice," thought the poor maiden. "Oh, may that sacrifice be accepted!" CHAPTER XIII. SILENT CONFLICT.