was a sore trial to the Rabbi; but he was strengthened from above, and
he refused again.

"Thou knowest me, then, I perceive, O Jochonan, son of Ben-David,"
said the Prince of the Mazikin. "I am a Demon who would tempt thee to
destruction. As thou hast withstood so far, I tempt thee no more.
Thou hast done a service which, though I value it not, is acceptable
in the sight of her whose love is dearer to me than the light of life.
Sad has been that love to thee, my Rebecca! Why should I do that which
would make thy cureless grief more grievous?--You have yet another
chamber to see," said he to Jochonan, who had closed his eyes, and was
praying fervently to the Lord, beating his breast.

Far different from the other chambers, the one into which the Rabbi
was next introduced was a mean and paltry apartment without furniture.
On its filthy walls hung innumerable bunches of rusty keys of all
sizes, disposed without order. Among them, to the astonishment of
Jochonan, hung the keys of his own house--those which he had put to
hide when he came on this miserable journey--and he gazed upon them
intently.

"What dost thou see," said the Demon, "that makes thee look so
eagerly? Can he who has refused silver and gold and diamonds be moved
by a paltry bunch of rusty iron?"

"They are mine own, my lord," said the Rabbi. "Them will I take, if
they be offered me."

"Take them, then," said the Demon, putting them into his hand: "thou
mayst depart. But, Rabbi, open not thy house only when thou returnest
to Cairo, but thy heart also. That thou didst not open it before was
that which gave me power over thee. It was well that thou didst one
act of charity in coming with me without reward, for it has been thy
salvation. Be no more Rabbi Jochonan the Miser."

The Rabbi bowed to the ground, and blessed the Lord for his escape.
"But how," said he, "am I to return, for I know not the way?"

"Close thine eyes," said the Demon.

He did so, and, in the space of a moment, heard the voice of the
Prince of the Mazikin ordering him to open them again. And behold,
when he opened them, he stood in the centre of his own chamber, in his
house at Cairo, with the keys in his hand.

When he recovered from his surprise, and had offered thanksgivings to
God, he opened his house, and his heart also. He gave alms to the
poor, he cheered the heart of the widow, and lightened the destitution
of the orphan. His hospitable board was open to the stranger, and