uspicion the Lord's
anointed? She wearies herself with surmises, and all in vain. But there
is the command, and she must be gone. The king's will is absolute.
Whatever that summons imports, "dumb acquiescence" is her only part. She
goes forth in her youth, beauty and happiness--she returns--

* * * * *

Weeks pass, and behold another message, but this time it is the king who
receives, and Bathsheba who sends. What is signified in those few words
from a woman's hand, that can so unnerve him who "has his ten thousands
slain"? It is now his turn to tremble and look pale. Yet a little while,
and he, the man after God's own heart, the chosen ruler of his
people--the idol of the nation, shall be proclaimed guilty of a heinous
and abominable crime, and shall, according to the laws of the land, be
subjected to an ignominious death. _He_ ponders now. Would he had
thought of all this before, but it is too late. The consequences of his
ungoverned passion stare him in the face and well nigh overwhelm him.
Something must be done, and that speedily. He cannot have it thus. He
has begun to fall, and the enemy of souls, is, as ever, at hand to
suggest the second false and ruinous step.

* * * * *

Another summons. A messenger from the king to Joab. "Send me Uriah the
Hittite." It is peremptory; no reasons are given, and Joab does as he is
bidden. Unsuspecting as loyal, Uriah hastens on his way, mindful only of
duty, and is soon in the presence of his royal master, who, always kind,
is now remarkably attentive to his wants and thoughtful of his
interests. He inquires for the commander of his forces and of the war
and how the people fare, and it would almost seem had recalled him only
to speak kindly to him and manifest his regard for the army, though he
had not himself led them to battle.

But though unsuspecting and deceived, the high-minded and faithful
soldier cannot even unwittingly be made to answer the end for which he
has been summoned, and after two days he returns to Joab, bearing a
letter, of whose terrible contents he little dreams and is happy in his
ignorance.

Meantime Bathsheba has heard of his arrival in Jerusalem, and is
momentarily expecting his appearance. Alas! that she should dread his
coming. Alas! that she should shudder at every sound of approaching
footsteps. How fearful is the change which has come over her since last
she looked on his loved f