noble cedar, swell
in the air and shadow all the land; thou, the very leader of His people,
His chosen one, for whom He hath worked such marvels, thy heart is
turned from thy fathers' God, and hankers after strange abominations.'

Through the broad arch that led into the gardens of the serail, the
moonlight fell upon the tall figure and the upraised arm of the priest;
Alroy stood with folded arms at some distance, watching Jabaster as he
spoke, with a calm but searching glance. Suddenly he advanced with a
quick step, and, placing his hand upon Jabaster's arm, said, in a low,
enquiring tone, 'You are speaking of this marriage?'

'Of that which ruined Solomon.'

'Listen to me, Jabaster,' said Alroy, interrupting him, in a calm but
peremptory tone, 'I cannot forget that I am speaking to my master, as
well as to my friend. The Lord, who knoweth all things, hath deemed me
worthy of His mission. My fitness for this high and holy office was not
admitted without proof. A lineage, which none else could offer, mystic
studies shared by few, a mind that dared encounter all things, and a
frame that could endure most, these were my claims. But no more of this.
I have passed the great ordeal; the Lord of Hosts hath found me not
unworthy of His charge; I have established His ancient people; His
altars blaze with sacrifices; His priests are honoured, bear witness
thou, Jabaster, His omnipotent unity is declared. What wouldst thou
more?'

'All!'

'Then Moses knew you well. It is a stiff-necked people.'

'Sire, bear with me. If I speak in heat, I speak in zeal. You ask me
what I wish: my answer is, a national existence, which we have not. You
ask me what I wish: my answer is, the Land of Promise. You ask me what I
wish: my answer is, Jerusalem. You ask me what I wish: my answer is, the
Temple, all we have forfeited, all we have yearned after, all for
which we have fought, our beauteous country, our holy creed, our simple
manners, and our ancient customs.'

'Manners change with time and circumstances; customs may be observed
everywhere. The ephod on thy breast proves our faith; and, for a
country, is the Tigris less than Siloah, or the Euphrates inferior to
the Jordan?'

'Alas! alas! there was a glorious prime when Israel stood aloof from
other nations, a fair and holy thing that God had hallowed. We were
then a chosen family, a most peculiar people, set apart for God's entire
enjoyment. All about us was solemn, deep, and holy.