"I thank thee, sir, for this thy grace to me," Said Stephen; "but for Paul I nothing ask, Sure as I am he has what he desires; For he has learned in whatsoever state He be, therein to be content--so I Have heard mine uncle say, in telling what, Strange hap and hard to me it often seemed, Has him befallen in wandering through the world. Still, if I might two things in one desire, Though not for Paul, yet partly for his sake, I this would crave from thee, that I may here Bide with mine uncle, or with, him go hence, If hence thou sendest him; that is one thing; And this the other is, that I may bid Gamaliel hither, here to visit Paul. Gamaliel wishes to see Paul once more, And Paul I know would gladly yet again Greet his belovéd master face to face. Doubtless the last time it will be to them; For he, Gamaliel, waxes very old, Almost five score the tale is of his years." "Thou askest little; all is granted thee," The Roman said, and that centurion charged: "Let this lad come and go, unchecked, at will, Or bide companion with the prisoner Paul." "And thou, my little Hebrew," added he, Apart, "behooves thou know the time is short For Paul to tarry in Antonia. This very night, I send him forth with haste To Cæsarea from Jerusalem; Both for his safety, and my quiet, this. Thou shalt go with him, if thou choose to go. Remember that I trust thee, and be dumb." Benignantly dismissed thus, Stephen first Home hied him to his mother Rachel, her Told what had fallen and comforted her heart; Then to Gamaliel bore the chiliarch's word, Bidding him freely come to visit Paul. BOOK II. PAUL AND GAMALIEL. The aged Gamaliel has his wish and enjoys a prolonged interview with the prisoner Paul in the castle where the latter is confined--young Stephen being present. The result is Gamaliel's conversion to Christianity; but this is followed by the old man's peaceful death on the couch where he had been resting while he talked. So peaceful is the death that, in the darkness of the late evening, Paul and young Stephen are not aware that it has occurred. PAUL AND GAMALIEL.