“I cannot tell you all he said, Mysa; though some day had I remained with you I might have done so. But he did say so, and you know how wise and good he was. Therefore I want you to remember what he said, so that when I am gone you will not all your life think of me as one accursed.” “Oh! I should never do that!” Mysa exclaimed, starting up and throwing her arms round her brother’s neck. “How could you think so? But why are you talking about going, and where are you going?” “I am going, Mysa, because the people of Egypt do not view this matter in the same light as my father, but are hunting all the land to find and slay me and Amuba; for, not knowing the exact truth, they put us down as equally guilty. So we must fly. Our father gave full directions to Jethro, and we should by this time have been a long distance away had it not been that we stayed to find and rescue you.” “Then if the other things they told me are true, Chebron, it may be true too that the letter they showed me ordering me to consent to marry Plexo was from my mother. How could she tell me that when she knew that I hated him, and she has over and over again spoken scornfully of his family before me?” “What did she say?” Chebron asked. “She said that now disgrace had fallen on the family I might think myself very fortunate in obtaining such an offer.” Chebron was silent. He knew that his mother had never shown any earnest love either for Mysa or himself, that her thoughts were entirely devoted to dress and entertainments, and that any love she had to give had been bestowed upon his brother. “I fear it is true, Mysa.” “But I will never marry Plexo!” Mysa exclaimed passionately. “My father always said I should never marry a man I disliked.” “You will never marry Plexo, Mysa--he is dead.” Ruth uttered an exclamation. “He died by his own hand, Ruth--that is, by an accident. As he fell his dagger pierced his own heart, and when Jethro went to look at him he was dead.” “The Lord requited him for his evil,” Ruth said firmly. “All things are in his hands. As I did not mean to slay him, I lament not over his death. Besides, he strove to take your life, and had I had a dagger in my hand I should assuredly have used it.” “Then what is to become of me?” Mysa asked. “You must go back to your mother, Mysa. There is naught else for you to do.” “I will not!” Mysa exclaimed. “She never loved me. She would have married me against my will to Plexo, although she knew he was bad, and that I hated him. She would make me marry some one else who was rich, regardless of my wishes. No, Chebron, nothing shall make me go back to her.” Chebron looked perplexed. “Here come Jethro and Amuba, dear. You had best talk it over with them. I see nothing else for you to do.” As Jethro came up Mysa walked to meet him.