I know nothing," answered Nehushta
sharply, since the words about the colour of her skin had not pleased
her; "but of the rules of nature I do know, and something of the rules
of God also, for, like my mistress and this infant, I am a Christian.
These tell me, all of them, that to cast out an orphan child who is of
your own blood, and whom a cruel fortune has thus brought to your door,
would be an evil act, and one for which you must answer to Him who is
above the rules of any order."

"I may not wrangle, especially with a woman," replied Ithiel, who seemed
ill at ease; "but if my first words are true, this is true also, that
those same rules enjoin upon us hospitality, and above all, that we must
not turn away the helpless or the destitute."

"Clearly, then, sir, least of any must you turn away this child whose
blood is your blood, and those dead mother sent her to you, that she
might not fall into the power of a grandfather who has dealt so cruelly
with those he should have cherished, to be brought up among Zealots as
a Jew and taught to make offering of living things, and be anointed with
the oil and blood of sacrifice."

"No, no, the thought is horrible," answered Ithiel, holding up his
hands. "It is better, far better that she should be a Christian than one
of that fanatic and blood-spilling faith." This he said, because among
the Essenes the use of oil was held to be unclean. Also above all
things, they loathed the offering of life in sacrifice to God; who,
although they did not acknowledge Christ--perhaps because He was never
preached to them, who would listen to no new religion--practised the
most of His doctrines with the greatest strictness.

"The matter is too hard for me," he went on. "I must lay it before a
full Court of the hundred curators, and what they decide, that will
be done. Still, this is our rule: to assist those who need and to show
mercy, to accord succour to such as deserve it, and to give food to
those in distress. Therefore, whatever the Court, which it will take
three days to summon, may decide, in the meanwhile I have the right to
give you, and those with you, shelter and provision in the guest-house.
As it chances, it is situated in that part of the village where dwell
the lowest of our brethren, who are permitted to marry, so there you
will find company of your own sex."

"I shall be glad of it," answered Nehushta drily. "Also I should call
them the highest of the brethren, since ma