“What is that to thee, if true?” she blushed a little. “Could’st thou drive from thy bosom a fleeing kid, there seeking refuge from pursuing lions?” “I do not know ’till tried. Thou art at any rate no kid; there is no lion. If thou desirest refuge, see the path of departure is the one by which thou cam’st hither.” “Well, then, farewell.” The knight made as if he would go, but he knew he would not. The motion gave him excuse for looking sad, and he knew that next to a handsome face a sad one most easily conquers a woman. “Tarry a moment ’till I think. Can I trust thee?” she was hesitating. “I’ve trusted thee, and that’s ever the best proof of fidelity.” Women like to think they are especially trusted. “Well——but, see, my father comes; there’s no time for argument; let me speak!” As the aged priest drew near, Esther saluted him, and said, “Father, let me take this Galileean stranger to the youths and their games? He claims our hospitality.” The priest, wont to be on the alert, was disarmed by the magic word hospitality; then, too, for a long time before, having been wifeless, he had been wont to put his daughter forward, according large confidence to her; hence his reply: “If thou knowest him, Rizpah.” “I do.” “Welcome, brother, what is thy name?” said Harrimai. Rizpah, his daughter, quickly made reply, “Ahasuerus, and I’ve laughed at the _coincidence_ until he has been ashamed to repeat it.” “’Tis strange, surely, and not like a Jewish one. I must examine the family rolls to-morrow. Peace be unto thee, son,” and the old man turned toward his pavilion. Esther plucked a lily from her crown and handed it to Sir Charleroy saying: “Here, king, a token.” “Of what?” “Shushan; in our tongue, the name of the flower signifies ‘surrender.’” “They say, Esther, that Judith wore a crown of lilies when she assassinated Holophernes. Is there any danger to me impending?” “Thou hast a lily. It is said to ward off enchantments, too.” “I am enchanted. I do not want to awaken. In Egypt they call this the lotus, flower of unrestrained pleasure.” “For now then, we’ll call it lotus.” “All gods, even Osiris, bless thee, Esther.” So the twain were charmed comrades, till watch fires were dim and the palm shadows were creeping in, like funeral attendants, to carry away the spirit of the dying revel. Here and there was heard anon the voices commending this one and that to pleasant slumbers. The stars were withdrawing behind dawn’s feathery curtains, and over all, at intervals, was heard the voice of the chanticleer, triumphantly proclaiming the coming day. Charleroy and Rizpah were left alone with each other at the end of the last game.