“My brother should by rights speak for me,” she said, looking indignantly at Uncle David, “but as he is so dumb, I shall have to speak for myself.” She took a deep breath. “Prince Ahab,” she said, “my son Jonah, the prophet, wishes to marry your niece, the Lady Judith.” “That’s it,” said Uncle David; “that’s what we came to say.” The smile died upon Prince Ahab’s face, and he stared at them in amazement. “What?” he exclaimed; “did I hear you aright?” Deborah repeated in a firmer tone what she had said; then, raising her eyes to his, looked at him with a candid and satisfied expression. Now that the declaration was out, she felt entirely different. But Prince Ahab began to laugh. “My good woman,” he cried, “are you mad? Such a thing is impossible.” “Why is it impossible?” asked Deborah calmly. “I do not see anything impossible about it. Do you, David?” “No,” said David hurriedly, “no. Of course it seems impossible; I said at once that it looked absurd. Still ... there you are. “Ha ha.” And he also essayed a laugh like a croak. Prince Ahab controlled himself with an effort. “Madam,” he said, “what does this extraordinary son of yours offer as price for my niece, if I may be so bold as to inquire?” Deborah at least had the grace to blush. “Nothing,” she said in a low tone. “But he thought, being a prophet ... and what is wealth to you, who have so much?” Prince Ahab let out a sudden roar of anger. The joke no longer amused him. “Nothing,” he cried. “He wishes to give me nothing for the Lady Judith. “What impudence.” “What did I tell you?” said David, trembling, turning to his sister. “He has insulted her. O my God.” Prince Ahab spread his legs apart, and clutched his beard with both hands. “Woman,” he cried in thunderous tones, “let me tell you that my sister’s daughter will not marry a pauper, prophet or no prophet. A fig for your prophets. They are dirty, unhealthy, meddlesome creatures. Tell your son to go back to the desert where he belongs. And as for my niece, she has been given too much liberty. I shall see that she is properly guarded hereafter. “What ideas. I tell you there is no respect in this unhappy country.” Summoning his slaves, he bade them hustle Deborah from his sight. Then he went off in a violent mood to find his niece. Fortunately for Judith she was not in the garden; instead he came upon Hiram, the Phœnician, strolling among the flowers. Prince Ahab took the wealthy merchant by the arm. “Come,” he said, “I am in a rage. Let me show you my horses. I have some things to talk over with you. I have had a shock this morning, and I do not know what the world is coming to. What ideas. What impudence. Let us go riding for a while; it will do me good.” And he hurried to the stables. Deborah walked home with her head in the air, the color bright on her face. In the village she stopped to speak a few words to the gossips, who greeted her with curiosity and interest.