The Roman army was encamped in all its strength and glory in the
Valley of Thorns. From the neighbouring heights the towers and walls
of Jerusalem were distinctly visible, and many times did Marcellus
ascend to the highest summit and gaze with intense anxiety towards
that part of the city where the dwelling of Zadok was situated. Oh!
what dangers would he not have encountered to find himself under that
well-known roof, and thus be permitted to protect and save his
beloved Naomi, or perish with her in the destruction which he well
foresaw was rapidly approaching! It was impossible for him, under
any pretext, to enter the city, and therefore he had ventured--though
with fears and doubts as to the reception of his proposition--to
address to Naomi the letter which has already been mentioned, and
which did not reach her hand until the day after it was delivered by
him to the officer on guard at the gate.
It has been seen what was the nature of her reply, and how, by the
treachery of Reuben, it came into the possession of the cruel Simon,
instead of reaching him for whom it was intended. Marcellus hardly
hoped that Naomi would be able to send him any answer, but he failed
not to repair to the appointed spot, accompanied by his kind-hearted
father and a chosen band of soldiers on the evening of the same day
on which he had carried the packet of letters to the city gate. Of
course he waited in vain for any communication from Naomi that night,
for his letter was then lying unheeded in the folds of the careless
soldier's garment, and the same disappointment met him the following
evening also. Nevertheless he was not discouraged, but he resolved
to go again and again to the garden of Zadok, so long as it was
possible for the object of his anxious care to come forth from the
dangers that surrounded her, and claim his protection. Rufus also
attended his son each night, that if the maiden should venture to
meet them, she might have the comfort and the sanction of his
presence.
The third evening arrived; and again Marcellus and his companions
left the camp, and proceeded by a secluded path over the hills to the
valley of Jehosaphat. The short twilight had almost faded away when
they crossed the brook and entered the garden, and the overhanging
trees, now thick with luxuriant foliage, effectually concealed them
from the observation of the guard who patrolled along the wall of the
city. They remained silently watching for some time, when at length
they heard the sound of footsteps softly approaching, and the name of
Marcellus uttered in a low whisper. The young soldier paused not to
ascertain from whose lips the welcome sound proceeded; he did not
doubt that it was either Naomi or her attendant who called him, and
he sprang forth to meet her. The night was cloudy and dark, and for
a moment Marcellus did not discover the deceit that had been
practised upon him. He saw indistinctly a group of persons among the
shrubs and flowers, and he believed that his beloved was in the midst
of them, awaiting his approach. He hurried forward, exclaiming,
"Where are you, my Naomi? Haste, haste, and let us bear you away to
safety."
"Audacious Roman!" replied Javan, fiercely; "Naomi is safer than with
heathens and idolaters. You shall soon be within the same proud
walls that guard her from danger, but you shall no more have power to
tempt her by your arts to forget her father's house and her father's
God!"
So saying, Javan rushed upon the astonished young Roman, while his
attendants commenced a furious conflict with Rufus and his followers.
The Jewish party were the most numerous; but the Romans were superior
in their weapons, and they fought with a desperate resolution to
defend their officers, to whom they were devotedly attached. Several
were wounded on both sides, and the noise of the combat attracted the
attention of the guard who were stationed at the nearest gate. They
quickly assembled in a strong body, and sallied forth to the
assistance of Javan, and in a few minutes the brave company of Romans
must have been surrounded and defeated, had not Clodius, who was one
of the number, perceived the glancing of the Jewish army through the
trees, and guessed that fresh enemies were approaching. The moment
he had discovered that Javan was the leader of their antagonists, he
had rushed towards him, in the hope of revenging the breach of faith
of which the Jew had been guilty towards him, when he escaped so
treacherously from his custody while a prisoner in the Roman camp.
All his efforts were directed against him alone, and he would gladly
have sacrificed his life if he could have slain Javan also. Probably
he would have succeeded in his desperate attempt, had he not observed
the coming reinforcement; but then his attachment to Marcellus
outweighed his private animosity, and leaving the scene of conflict,
he flew back to the spot beyond the brook where the horses and the
litter had been placed ready for the expected removal of Naomi beyond
the reach of pursuit.
He seized the horses of Rufus and Marcellus, and in an instant
returned to the spot where they were contending for liberty and life,
calling loudly to them at the same time to mount and fly before the
Jewish guard should arrive and overpower their small band. They
disengaged themselves from their antagonists, and sprang on their
gallant steeds; but they did not then desert their devoted followers.
With desperate valour they covered their retreat, and by the strength
of their well-trained chargers drove back their assailants and kept
them at bay, until they were joined by the band who came to their
aid. By that time all their own men were mounted, when, as the Jews
rushed forward with their combined force, Rufus gave the word of
command, and the undaunted troop of Roman cavalry were in a moment
scouring down the valley, far beyond the reach of their enemies'
swords or lances.
Javan's rage and disappointment knew no bounds. All regard to his
sister's feelings--all the compassion that had once been excited by
the fate of Theophilus and the sorrow of his relatives--were
forgotten, and he burned to plunge his sword to the heart of the
Roman who had won the affection of Naomi, and escaped the
chastisement which such presumptuous boldness deserved at the hands
of every true son of Abraham. He returned with his discomfited
followers to the city, and immediately repaired to the house of
Simon, to inform him of the ill-success of their enterprise. The
chieftain was almost as much disappointed as his colleague, for he
had ardently desired to get the brave centurion and his noble son
into his power. But his expectations, and those of Javan, had
failed; and now they could only endeavour to keep the attempt a
secret from Naomi. Reuben was summoned from his place of
confinement, and made to swear that he would never reveal the
occurrences which had taken place; and then Javan commanded him to go
to Deborah in the morning, as had been agreed, and claim the promised
reward for his faithful performance of the commission entrusted to
him. He directed him to assure her that he had himself seen
Marcellus in the garden, and given her young mistress's letter into
his own hand, and witnessed his grief and disappointment at reading
its contents. The wily Reuben promised to use great discretion and
subtlety in preventing the suspicions of Deborah, and left the house,
rejoiced to find himself again at liberty and safe from the custody
of the terrible Simon.
He told his well-invented story to the credulous old Deborah, who
instantly gave him the liberal reward that was intended as a
recompense for his fidelity, and hastened to communicate to Naomi the
supposed success of her mission. Naomi was satisfied. She grieved
for the sorrow which she had caused to Marcellus, but she felt that
she had acted according to the dictates of her own conscience and her
strong sentiments of filial piety; and she tried to banish all
selfish regrets, by hastening to the apartment of her beloved mother,
and devoting herself as usual to her comfort. In the effort to cheer
her spirits, which had lately become most deeply depressed, she
forgot all her own peculiar causes of anxiety, and found a reward for
every personal sacrifice in observing that while she conversed with
her, and cautiously spoke of her own hopes in her Redeemer, and her
own consolation in every trial, the countenance of Salome became more
animated, and her sadness gradually passed away. Oh if the interest
which her mother already appeared to feel in the wondrous scheme of
redemption through Jesus Christ might be deepened and strengthened,
and at length, by the grace of God, become a steadfast and a saving
faith--what joy would be hers! How gladly, to further that
all-important object, would she forego all hopes of earthly happiness
for herself, and patiently wait for a glorious reward in Heaven,
where all her cares and sorrows would end, and where she might be
permitted to meet him who now possessed her affections, to be
separated no more for ever!
She looked on the pale cheek and wasted form of Salome, and blessed
God that she had refused to leave her or even to let her know that an
asylum of perfect safety had been offered to her. Salome expected
and dreaded the result of the attack of the Roman army; and often she
shuddered to think what might be the fate of her cherished and
beloved child if the Gentile conquerors became masters of the city.
She felt that her own strength was declining rapidly, and she
believed that ere that terrible event took place her eyes would be
closed in death, and behold not the destruction that ever attended a
Roman conquest. But how much more peacefully would she have awaited
death if she could have known that Naomi was safe with those who had
power to protect her and make her happy!
All these anxious fears were not concealed from Naomi, and therefore
it was that she refrained from telling her mother of the letter she
had received from Marcellus. But she read to her the epistle of
Claudia; and from the expressions of Christian faith and resignation
which it contained, she took occasion to speak of the blessed peace
that was to be found in the Gospel doctrines, and the support which
they afforded to every sincere and humble believer, under all the
most trying dispensations of Providence.
"Naomi, my child," said Salome, with an expression of anxious doubt
on her countenance, "it is from listening too much to your discourse
on those subjects that I have lost the peace that once possessed my
soul. While my faith in the holy religion which we have received
from our fathers, and which was taught by God himself, was unshaken,
I was tranquil and satisfied. I fulfilled all the requirements of
the law as far as I was able, and trusted to the merit of the
appointed sacrifices to atone for my deficiencies in the eyes of a
holy and a merciful Jehovah. But now that trust is gone. I have
begun to feel that the blood of lambs and goats cannot wipe away my
many and grievous sins, and my soul is tossed with fear and doubt. I
cannot put my confidence in the crucified Jesus so fully as you would
have me do; I cannot cast myself, and all the burden of my sin, on
him, in full assurance of pardon, for my faith in him is very weak.
Oh that I could surely know that he was indeed the promised Messiah!"
"My dearest mother," replied Naomi, "I bless my Heavenly Father for
the words you have spoken. Surely He hath begun the work of
salvation in your soul, and He will accomplish it to the end. Your
very doubts and fears are an evidence that his Holy Spirit is
striving with you; and I shall yet see you among his believing
people, enjoying that peace which was the gift of Jesus to his
disciples, and which nothing in this world can either give or take
away."
"May God grant it, Naomi," said Salome, in a dejected tone, "but I
never expect to feel perfect peace on earth. I have lived for many
years in contempt of the Saviour whom you would have me to worship,
and serve, and love as a God. And if he is indeed the Christ, how
can I hope that he will pardon my past neglect, and accept a faith so
poor and weak as mine? I shall not live to prove whether it is
sincere or not; and I dare not say that if I met with persecution or
even opposition for his sake, I should have strength to confess him
and to maintain my belief. Oh no, Naomi; my heart is not like yours
or our poor Theophilus's--and Jesus must despise it."
"Oh say not so, dear mother," said Naomi: "you have more faith in
your Redeemer than you allow yourself to believe. Were it not so,
you would not be so anxious to be pardoned and accepted by him. And
were your doubts tenfold more powerful than they are, Jesus would not
turn his face from you, for he has promised to receive _all_ who come
to him in sincerity, and in no wise to cast them out."
"While I hear you tell of his condescending mercy and love to
sinners, I always feel comfort, Naomi: but when I am alone and
remember my own utter unworthiness, then I doubt whether that mercy
and love can extend to me. I have sinfully neglected him, and even
striven to banish from my mind the impression that long ago your
conversation and that of Amaziah made on me. I feared to displease
your father more than the God of my salvation; and preferred a blind
confidence in the superiority of that religion which he professed, to
a diligent inquiry into the truth of the Christian doctrines. I did
not even at that time pray that I might be led into the right way,
for I wished to remain in the Jewish faith; and can I hope that such
perverseness should be forgotten, and such hardness of heart
pardoned? O Naomi, I have suffered much in the last few months. I
do believe that the Lord has been striving with my spirit, though I
resisted his influence; but day by day that influence has become
stronger, and my desire to know the truth more urgent. While you and
your father were absent at Joppa, I gave much time to meditation; and
I believe I was sincere in asking my Heavenly Father to bring me to
himself, and make me his own accepted child, however trying to flesh
and blood might be the means which his love and wisdom should see
necessary to wean my soul from all its false dependencies, and its
attachment to the things of earth. I prayed also that the true way
of acceptance with him might be made known to me; and that I might be
taught to renounce all that was erroneous in the manner in which I
had hitherto worshipped Him, and enabled to discover and embrace that
faith which would make me pure in his eyes, and meet for the kingdom
of Heaven."
"Then I no longer wonder, my dearest mother, that you have taken such
an increased interest in the truths of our holy religion since that
time. God has heard your prayer, and graciously inclined your heart
to receive the light of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have
greatly rejoiced ever since my return home, to find that you not only
permitted me to speak unreservedly of my Lord and Saviour, but that
you took delight in the subject, and always seemed to be cheered and
enlivened by it; but I did not know that this was in answer to your
own supplications. Oh, I thank our merciful God who gave you the
spirit to ask so humbly and sincerely, and then in his love and mercy
granted your request."
"Yes, Naomi, it is all his work. If at last I am saved through Jesus
Christ, what a monument of his goodness shall I be!"
"And is it not equally a miracle of grace, that any one of us should
be saved?" replied Naomi. "Are not all of our fallen race by nature
dead in trespasses and sins, until the Spirit of the Lord takes away
our stony heart and gives us a heart of flesh? What pride, and
presumption, and self-righteousness once defiled my whole soul; and
yet did my Saviour call me to believe in him, and enable me to trust
wholly and unreservedly to his merits for pardon and salvation! I
have never known a single believer in Jesus who did not look on his
own salvation as a wonder of grace and mercy, and those who have
attained to the greatest degrees of holiness, and have been enabled
in some degree to imitate the perfect example set forth by their
Divine Master, have ever been those who have also most deeply felt
their own natural depravity, and most gratefully acknowledged that
all their attainments here, and all their hopes hereafter, were the
free gift of God. Do not then, dear mother, doubt his power and
willingness to save you: 'If the blood of bulls and goats, and the
ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctify to the purifying
of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through
the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your
conscience from dead works, to serve the living God!'"
"Yes, my child, I believe indeed that Jesus has the power, and I will
try also to believe that he has the will, to save and pardon even me.
It is a wonderful thing that God should give his Son to die for us:
and if that be really true, nothing is too great to expect from his
love towards his sinful creatures."
"Oh, eternal thanks be to God," exclaimed Naomi, fervently, "for this
confession of your faith in Jesus, as his Son, and your own Saviour,
my mother! May he strengthen that faith day by day, and enable you
to triumph in his great salvation."
"Naomi," replied Salome, "it is not in my nature to feel all that
holy trust and confidence that seems to inspire your more ardent
soul. While I remain in this world, I shall ever be subject to fears
and timorous doubts. But pray for me, that my faith may not
altogether fail--that I may be enabled to take comfort in it when the
hour of death approaches, as it surely will ere long."
Naomi turned away to hide the rising tear that dimmed her eye at her
mother's prophetic words. she was well assured that they were words
of truth; and she had for some time past endeavoured to prepare
herself for the bereavement that was rapidly approaching her; but she
could not contemplate it without deep emotion, or watch the silent
change that was taking place in that beloved mother's pallid
countenance and wasting form, without feeling that all her trust in
God would be required to enable her to bear the separation.
She paused a moment to regain her composure, and then replied,
"If it pleases our God and Father to take you to himself, he will
support your faith, my mother, and give you victory over every fear
and every temptation. Trust in Him, and Him alone, and he will be
your guide ever unto death. His rod and his staff they shall comfort
you; and while you lean on Him for support, he will not suffer your
foot to slide."
"Bless thee, my child," said Salome affectionately; "what a comfort
has God given me in you! Nothing has so strongly shown me the power
and the holiness of the religion which you now profess, as the change
which it has worked in your character, and the spirit of joy and
consolation and meekness and gentleness that it has imparted to you.
When we meet hereafter before the throne of God, it will be my pride
to remember that you, my Naomi, pointed out to me the way thither,
and your bright example allured me into it."
"Cease, cease, dear mother!" cried Naomi: "oh, do not thus rob God of
the honour that is all his own, to give any part to a sinful creature
like me. If he has been pleased to make me the humble instrument of
revealing to you the way of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ, to
Him be all the glory and all the praise. Throughout eternity I will
bless Him for the privilege, and declare my own unworthiness. Oh
that I had grace and strength to act up to the spirit of those
doctrines which I so feebly endeavour to impart to you! But I have
need of teaching on every point; and were it not for the grace of my
Redeemer, and the power of his Holy Spirit, I should fall into sin
each hour of my life. How many are my provocations of Him every day,
notwithstanding all his mercy to me! It is only by constant prayer
that my sins may be blotted out afresh, and washed away in his
atoning blood, that I can in any degree preserve my confidence that I
am pardoned and accepted by Him. Let me entreat you to use the same
humble means, and you too, my mother, will find rest to your soul,
and be enabled to glory in the hope of your free forgiveness and
everlasting glory."
"I have already found some consolation in prayer, Naomi, since I have
offered it in the name of Jesus. I can feel more confidence that God
has pardoned me, when I am enabled to believe that his only Son has
shed his blood to take away my sins, than when I trusted in the blood
of sacrifices to make a propitiation for them. I see now that those
sacrifices could never take away sin."
"They were but the types and shadows of the good things to come,"
answered Naomi, "and served to point out the one great sacrifice
which should at length be offered. I would to God that our deluded
nation would now see the worthlessness of all those forms and
ceremonies that belonged to the old covenant, and would heartily
embrace the new covenant which the blessed Son of God has revealed to
mankind. It is a grief to my heart, a bitter grief, to see my dear
and honoured father and my zealous brother yet in the bondage of the
law, and despising the glorious liberty of the disciples of Christ.
Their souls are in subjection to things which cannot profit them; and
the zeal and devotion that would do honour to the cause of Him who
died to save them, are devoted to the support of vain traditions and
customs that are derived from men. They think to glorify Almighty
God by their obedience to these customs of our fathers, but how much
more acceptably would they honour Him by casting off their prejudices
and receiving Jesus of Nazareth as his anointed Son. O my dearest
mother, will not you exert your influence to bring both my father and
Javan out of the way of error?"
"I dare not speak to them on such a subject, Naomi. The words would
die away unuttered. I am too weak in body and in spirit to contend
with them, and they would but despise my feeble voice. Perhaps also
their arguments would shake my own faith, which is so little
established. I will pray for them, my child, as you have prayed for
me; and may God give the same success to my petitions."
Naomi forbore to urge her mother to attempt the conversion of Zadok
and her son, for she saw how unequal she was to such an effort.
Indeed the conversation which she had just held with her had
exhausted her strength and excited her feelings more than she was
well able to bear; and her daughter entreated her to seek repose on a
couch which was always placed for her upon the terrace. This was a
favourite situation with Salome, as it enabled her to enjoy the pure
air that blew over the mountains of Olivet and the lovely view that
extended beneath them. The terrace also was adorned with many a
marble vase, in which grew beautiful and aromatic plants; and these
were carefully tended by Naomi, and arranged near her mother's
resting-place. It was a peaceful spot in the midst of that turbulent
city; but even there the distant shouts of violence and conflict were
heard, and Naomi brought her harp, that by its music and her own
sweet voice she might draw away her mother's attention from the
sounds of discord that always excited her fears and her grief.
She continued to sing in a low, gentle tone, until Salome, soothed by
the sound and refreshed by the breeze, sank into a quiet sleep; when
Naomi laid aside her harp, and indulged in grateful meditation on the
discussion which she had just held with her mother. It is true the
faith which she had heard her express was both weak and
wavering--clouded with doubts and obscured by prejudices. Yet it was
evident that she was sincere in her inquiry after the truth, and
really desirous of knowing the will of her Heavenly Father, that she
might do it. Therefore Naomi was very confident that her mother
would not be long left in uncertainty as to the way in which she
should seek the salvation of herself; for Jesus himself had said, "If
any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine whether it be
of God." What comfort did the remembrance of this promise bring now
to the heart of Naomi; and how earnestly did she thank her merciful
Redeemer, who had left such words for the encouragement of all who
seek him in sincerity, however small their knowledge or weak their
faith! She trusted that her beloved mother would yet be spared for
some time, and enabled, before she should be called hence, to make a
full profession of her trust and confidence in the merits of her
Saviour. She hoped that when her last hours should arrive they might
be cheered and illumined by such a sense of pardon and acceptance as
should deprive death of all its terrors, and make her more than
conqueror over all that now she greatly dreaded; and that then, when
life was fading away, and eternity appeared in all its awful reality,
she might be able to lay aside her fears and scruples, and tell to
Zadok on what her soul was trusting, and whence she derived her peace
and joy. But should it please the Lord of life and death to hasten
her mother's departure, and deny her the privilege of bearing a
triumphant testimony in her dying hours to his power and will to save
sinners, yet Naomi felt that she should have no fears for her
salvation--no doubts that when her flesh and her heart failed, God
would be the strength of her heart and her portion for ever.
"O God!" she softly ejaculated, "I thank Thee for this blessed hope!
May I but hold my own faith steadfast unto the end of my pilgrimage;
and then, when I stand before Thy throne, I shall see my mother, my
own beloved mother, among the countless throng that shall assemble
there, having washed their robes and made them white in the blood of
the Lamb! But where, oh, where will my father be found in that great
day? and where shall Javan stand? Can it be, O Lord Almighty! that
their blindness shall exclude them from Thy presence? Shall they
suffer the wrath of the Lamb if they continue to despise his mercy?
O Lord God, Thou knowest. Thou knowest how much of their blindness
is wilful, and whether their hearts are upright in Thy sight; and
Thou art very merciful."
Naomi buried her face in her hands, and wept. She could pray and
hope for the conversion of those she loved so dearly, but the present
state of their souls made her shudder. She knew that a heavy
judgment was coming speedily upon Jerusalem--the hand of the avenger
was already stretched forth to smite the city and her inhabitants;
and there was but one way opened for escape--but one refuge into
which sinners might flee and be safe for ever. That way was despised
by Zadok, and hated and blasphemed by Javan--how could it then avail
to save them? Naomi could not look into the decrees of God, or
foresee what His providence should ordain concerning her father and
brother. She could not look into their hearts and discover the
degree of their responsibility and their guilt. She could only bow
in trembling submission to His just decrees, and pour out her soul in
fervent supplication that they might yet repent and be converted, ere
the days of destruction should come, and there should be none to help
them. She was still engaged in deep and anxious thought when Salome
awoke, and looked up at her daughter with a smile of greater
contentment and peace than Naomi had seen on her countenance for
several months.
"I have been dreaming of former happy days," she said, "when you and
Javan and our poor Theophilus were merry children playing together on
this terrace; and Claudia and Marcellus were with us too. I was
thoughtless, and well pleased to be so, at that time, Naomi; but I am
happier now, in my present weak, declining state, with sorrows, and
cares, and miseries around me, than I ever was while I was ignorant
of what Jesus has done for my soul. I dreamed just now that I saw
you all in childish mirth, playing among the flowers at the end of
the terrace; and while I looked at the joyous group, a bright and
glorious being descended from above, and called to Theophilus to come
out from the rest of his companions and prepare for Heaven. How
joyfully the boy complied! and how gratefully he looked up to Him who
had thus chosen him for himself! Then the heavenly visitant summoned
you, my Naomi; and with equal readiness you left your childish
sports, and I saw the light that shone from the divine countenance of
him who called you reflected in your own. Marcellus and Claudia were
both afterwards summoned: and I looked to see my son also placed in
the chosen band; but no--he stood aloof, and though the same voice of
mercy called to him, he did not move. The glorious being turned from
him with a look rather of sorrow than of anger, and then he spoke to
me. I did not heed his words at first, and many times he called me
ere I even tried to rise and obey; but at length he came and took my
hand and drew me forward, and placed me by your side. O then my eyes
were opened, and I saw a multitude of angelic creatures around us,
clothed in white; and they sang a song of triumph, because the Lord
of their salvation had looked in mercy upon us also, and had joined
us to their happy company. I looked for Javan and for Zadok that I
might call them to join us, and share our felicity, but I could not
see them--the terrace and all that I had seen before had vanished
away; and then I woke with a feeling of peace that I have never known
before. O Naomi, I believe that I shall soon realise that happy
vision, and that all I love best on earth will be partakers of the
same joy. If I did not trust that Zadok would surely be of the
number, I fear that even the prospect of Heaven would not now make me
feel satisfied. And Javan too--my poor mistaken son! His errors of
faith have led him into grievous sins. May the Lord pardon him the
death of Theophilus! Your father's life has been one of devoted
obedience to what he believed to be the will of God, and of unwearied
benevolence to his fellow-creatures. Surely he will be accepted of
the Lord, though he may die in ignorance of Him for whose sake alone
his sins are pardoned and his obedience rewarded. But Javan gives me
far more anxiety. His zeal is so mixed up with cruelty--his temper
is so unhumbled--and his conduct so fearfully opposed to the love and
mercy and charity that ought to characterize all pardoned sinners,
that I cannot think of him without fear and dread. Oh, in what part
of God's revealed will did he learn to persecute his own brethren?
Where did he read that it was an acceptable offering to the Lord of
all goodness to shed the blood of one who dwelt at peace with him,
and worshipped the same God, and hoped for the same Heaven, though he
differed from him as to the foundation of those hopes?"
"May his spirit be enlightened to see his errors," replied Naomi;
"and may he yet find pardon. He was less cruel to Theophilus than
you believe, mother. He thought he was making a last effort to save
the soul of our poor cousin from the devices of Satan. I fear that
much of personal animosity was mingled with that feeling, and urged
him to execute his fatal enterprise against his liberty; but I do
believe that his anger was softened and his hatred subdued after
Theophilus was in his power. And when he saw his noble conduct, and
witnessed his unshrinking courage, I do believe that he pitied and
admired him, and regretted the step into which his own misguided zeal
had hurried him."
"Then why did he not save his life, Naomi? Surely he had power to
obtain his release."
"Alas, mother, pride and fanaticism forbade his openly pardoning a
Nazarene, even if his hard-hearted colleagues would have consented to
it. But speak to him on the subject, and hear his own feelings and
his own thoughts; and you will pity him more, and perhaps blame him
less."
As Naomi spoke Javan himself appeared on the terrace. His father had
met him, actively engaged in the business of the civil warfare, and
had told him with deep sorrow that his mother was far less well than
when he had last seen her, and that he began to entertain very
serious alarm about her. Javan was shocked at this announcement, for
he really loved his mother; and though he had seen her look pale and
feeble for some time past, he had not admitted the idea that her life
was in danger. He eagerly inquired of Zadok whether the rabbi
Joazer, who acted the part of a physician as well as of a spiritual
adviser, in the family, considered her illness in so serious a light,
and whether any further medical aid could be obtained in the city.
His father assured him that everything was done for the invalid that
human skill could devise, but that he feared her naturally delicate
constitution had suffered so much from sorrow and anxiety, that she
would never rally again, though she might yet linger for a
considerable time. This, he added, was also the opinion of the
rabbi. Javan's heart smote him, for he remembered how much he had
contributed, by his conduct towards Theophilus, and also by his
harshness to Naomi, in harassing the mind of his gentle and
affectionate mother, and laying on her a heavy burden of woe, which
she had not strength to bear. He hastened homewards, and when he
reached his father's house, of late so seldom visited by him, he felt
a degree of remorse while he thought how he had been a cause of
constant sorrow to its inmates, instead of being their support and
joy. He proceeded to the terrace with softened feelings, and
approached his mother with a kindness and gentleness of manner that
were very unusual. Encouraged by this, Salome conversed freely with
him; and Naomi, seeing that sha looked tranquil and happy, left her
with her son, while she retired to attend to some domestic
arrangements with Deborah.
The conversation that ensued on her departure, between Javan and his
mother, was extremely interesting; and whatever was the subject of
it, it tended in a great degree to remove the gloom that hung on
Salome's spirits; and Naomi found her more cheerful on her return
than she had ever been since the apprehension of Theophilus, and all
the sad scenes which had followed that unhappy event.
[Illustration: Vaults of the Harem]