see him, three days later. The formal act of
betrothal between John and his cousin took place. Simon and Martha
would have been willing that the full ceremony of marriage should
take place, and the latter even urged this upon her son.

"You are now more than seventeen, John, and have taken your place
among men; and may well take to yourself a wife. Mary is nigh
fifteen, and many maidens marry earlier. You love each other. Why,
then, should you not be married? It would cheer the old age of your
father, and myself, to see our grandchildren growing up around us."

"Had the times been different, mother, I would gladly have had it
so; but with the land torn by war, with our brethren being
slaughtered everywhere, with Jerusalem and the Temple in danger, it
is no time for marrying and giving in marriage. Besides, the law
says that, for a year after marriage, a man shall not go to the war
or journey upon business; but shall remain at home, quiet, with his
wife. I could not do that, now. Did the news come, tomorrow, that
the Romans were marching upon Jerusalem, assuredly I should do my
duty, and take up arms and go to the defense of the Holy City; and
maybe Mary would be left a widow, before the days of rejoicing for
the marriage were over.

"No, mother; the life of no man who can wield a weapon is his own,
at present. The defense of the Temple is the first, and greatest,
of duties. If I fall there, you will adopt Mary as your child; and
marry her to someone who will take my place, and be a son to you.
Mary will grieve for me, doubtless, for a time; but it will be the
grief of a sister for a brother, not that of a wife for her husband
and, in time, she will marry the man to whom you shall give her,
and will be happy. Even for myself, I would rather that it were so
left. I shall feel more free from cares and responsibilities; and
though, if you and my father lay your orders upon me, I shall of
course obey them, I pray you that, in this matter, you will suffer
me to have my way."

Martha talked the matter over with her husband; and they agreed
that John's wishes should be carried out, and that the marriage
should be postponed until the troubles were over. Neither of them
believed that John would fall in the struggle. They regarded his
escape from Jotapata as well-nigh miraculous, and felt assured that
God, having specially protected him through such great danger,
would continue to do so to the end.

Contrary to expectation,