is theirs. The lepers in Zoan, Pha-kos and
Phibeseth followed the others at a certain distance, and their tents
are pitched outside the camp. Those in Succoth--there are not many--will
also be permitted to go forth with us; for when the Lord promised the
people the Land for which they long, He meant lofty and lowly, poor
and humble, and surely also the hapless ones who must now remain in the
hands of the foe. Would you not have done better to separate the Hebrews
from the Egyptians, and guide those of our own blood to us?"

The warrior's manly pride rebelled and his answer sounded grave and
stern: "In war we must resolve to sacrifice hundreds in order to save
thousands. The shepherds separate the scabby sheep to protect the
flock."

"True," replied Miriam eagerly; "for the shepherd is a feeble man,
who knows no remedy against contagion; but the Lord, who calls all His
people, will suffer no harm to arise from rigid obedience."

"That is a woman's mode of thought," replied Hosea; "but what pity
dictates to her must not weigh too heavily in the balance in the
councils of men. You willingly obey the voice of the heart, which is
most proper, but you should not forget what befits you and your sex."

A deep flush crimsoned Miriam's cheeks; for she felt the sting contained
in this speech with two-fold pain because it was Hosea who dealt the
thrust. How many pangs she had been compelled to endure that day on
account of her sex, and now he, too, made her feel that she was not
his peer because she was a woman. In the presence of the stones Hur
had gathered, and on which her hand now rested, he had appealed to her
verdict, as though she were one of the leaders of the people, and now
he abruptly thrust her, who felt herself inferior to no man in intellect
and talent, back into a woman's narrow sphere.

But he, too, felt his dignity wounded, and her bearing showed him that
this hour would decide whether he or she would have the mastery in
their future union. He stood proudly before her, his mien stern in its
majesty--never before had he seemed so manly, so worthy of admiration.
Yet the desire to battle for her insulted womanly dignity gained
supremacy over every other feeling, and it was she who at last broke
the brief, painful silence that had followed his last words, and with
a composure won only by the exertion of all her strength of will, she
began:

"We have both forgotten what detains us here so late at night. You
wishe