There was a moment's dead silence, during which the two old men looked fixedly at each other. Then the Rabbi said-- "It were best for thee, Leo. Isaac the son of Deuslesalt [probably a translation of Isaiah or Joshua] hath a fair daughter, and he is richer than either Benefei or Jurnet. She is his only child." "I have seen her: she is very handsome. Yet such a winter night! We will wait till morning, and not act rashly." "No: now or not at all," said Countess firmly. "My daughter," interposed the Rabbi hastily, "there is no need to be rash. If Leo give thee now a writing of divorcement, thou canst not abide in his house to-night. Wait till the light dawns. Sleep may bring a better mind to thee." Countess vouchsafed him no answer. She turned to her husband. "I never wished to dwell in thy house," she said very calmly, "but I have been a true and obedient wife. I ask thee now for what I think I have earned--my liberty. Let me go with my little child, whom I love dearly,--go to freedom, and be at peace. I can find another shelter for to-night. And if I could not, it would not matter--for me." She stooped and gathered the sleeping child into her arms. "Speak the words," she said. "It is the one boon that I ask of you." Leo rose--with a little apparent reluctance--and placed writing materials before the Rabbi, who with the reed-pen wrote, or rather painted, a few Hebrew words upon the parchment. Then Leo, handing it to his wife, said solemnly-- "Depart in peace!" The fatal words were spoken. Countess wrapped herself and Rudolph in the thick fur mantle, and turned to leave the room, saying to the man whose wife she was no longer-- "I beseech you, send my goods to my father's house. Peace be unto you!" "Peace be to thee, daughter!" returned the Rabbi. Then, still carrying the child, she went out into the night and the snow. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Note 1. See Matthew 27 verses 26, 27; Mark fourteen verses 22, 23; Luke twenty-two verses 17, 20; One Corinthians eleven verse 24, when it will be seen that "blessed" means gave thanks to God, not blessed the elements. Note 2. Hebrews Seven verse 14; Eight verse 4. Note 3. Matthew Eight verse 4. Note 4. Acts two verse 46; twenty-seven verse 11; One Corinthians eleven verses 20-34. Note 5. Diceto makes this barbarity a part of the sentence passed on the Germans. Newbury mentions it only as inflicted. CHAPTER EIGHT. IN THE WHITE WITCH'S HUT. "But all my years have seemed so long; And toil like mine is wondrous dreary; And every body thinks me strong: And I'm aweary." M.A. Chaplin. "Heigh-Ho! It's a weary life, Gib--a weary life!"