gaze, "I
come to ask what is your final decision. Are you still insane enough
to choose tortures and death?"

Zarah looked her father full in the face; she pale, but she blenched
not. In a calm, unhesitating voice she replied, "I will never deny my
faith."

"Then the die is cast!" exclaimed Pollux, almost relieved by being at
least freed from the misery of indecision. "We live or perish
together!--we will make our escape before daybreak."

There was little time left for words--none to express the thankful joy
which swelled the heart of Zarah. She was rescuing her father from
dishonour and guilt; she was giving him back to his country.

"Put on this dress of a Syrian slave-girl, which I have brought for
you," said Pollux. "Take up yon empty water-jar; it must appear as if
you went to fill it at the tank. We cannot keep close together; that
would awaken suspicion. We shall have guards to pass, and possibly
other persons besides, though at this very early hour even slaves will
scarcely have commenced their morning toils."

"How shall I find my way, father?" inquired Zarah; "this vast palace is
as a labyrinth to me."

"You must never quite lose sight of me," Pollux replied; "though
following at a sufficient distance to prevent its appearing that your
movements are guided by mine. But no, that plan will not answer," he
continued, pressing his forehead with his hand; "I should not then have
you in view, and, should you be challenged, I should be unable to come
to your help. You, my child, must go first."

"Oh, my father, my presence will fearfully increase your danger!" cried
Zarah. "Leave me here, I implore, and make your escape alone. No one
will challenge you."

Pollux silenced his daughter's expostulation with an impatient gesture
of the hand. "Attend to my directions," he said; "we have wasted too
much time already. You will follow me through the first court, and
then you will precede me. Keep to the right till you pass the first
sentries; then you will find yourself in a garden, in the centre of
which is a tank. Fill, or make show of filling, your jar. Then the
long dark passage which, you will see on the left will conduct you to a
postern gate of the palace; there will be a guard at that also."

"How shall I pass them?" asked Zarah, who began to realize the
difficulties and perils of the undertaking before her.

"I know not; but God, whom you serve, will help you, my brave and
innocent chi