The Young Captives Part 5

"Thy maid of Judah is in good health; and being so well provided for on her journey, she experienced but a very slight inconvenience."

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"But she must be further provided for. She must have a permanent home in the vicinity of her brothers. An officer of the king, in the city, with whom I am well acquainted, having learned something of the history and deportment of this your sister, would desire her, if not contrary to her wishes, to be an inmate of his house, and a companion for his only child--a maiden of sixteen summers. Would this be acceptable to the young damsel?"

"Abundantly acceptable, most kind Barzello!" said Perreeza. "Thy young handmaid is ready at any time to do the pleasure of her protector."

"Then I will accompany thee thither without any delay."

Perreeza withdrew to another apartment, and in a short time, returned, attired in her rich native costume, and giving Barzello a sign that she was ready, they both left the apartment. Soon Perreeza found herself by the side of her kind friend, in a richly-ornamented chariot, that hurried them through the wide and busy thoroughfares. Perreeza was somewhat astonished at the greatness and grandeur of this Gentile metropolis.

"Your Babylon is truly a great city," said she.

"The greatest on record. How in thine eye compares its beauty with the capital of Judah?"

"In the ornamental--in splendid gardens and bubbling fountains--Babylon surely stands far superior."

The chariot halted, and Perreeza found herself in front of one of the most beautiful mansions she had ever beheld.

"And is this the officer's mansion?" asked Perreeza, gazing with a degree of astonishment at the great structure.

"Yea, this is it, fair damsel. But thou appearest somewhat embarra.s.sed.

Let the maid of Judah have no fears, for I have every confidence that she will do well."

"Is the n.o.ble officer at home?" asked the maid, endeavoring to appear composed.

"He is about the premises, and will soon be in," replied Barzello, with a smile.

"What delicious flowers!" cried Perreeza, breathing a little easier.

"Babylon abounds with the like, fair damsel. But come, let us enter, for the officer's daughter is in haste to behold the youthful maid from the land of Judah."

Barzello ascended those steps of spotless marble, and, with a degree of freedom that seemed to surprise his young companion, he entered a s.p.a.cious apartment, richly furnished and beautifully ornamented, where Jupheena was ready to receive them, with loving smiles of welcome.

"Jupheena, this is the young maid from the land of Judah, of whom thy father spoke," and, directing his language to Perreeza, at the same time giving Jupheena a glance that was readily understood, he said, "and, young damsel, this is the officer's daughter of whom I spoke."

The two maidens, as if by a magic spell, were drawn to each other's arms.

"I shall leave you for a short period, Jupheena," said the officer; "thy father will soon return; when he comes, thou wilt be most happy to present to him thy young companion," and Barzello left the apartment, and thus the two fair ones were left together.

"I am happy to see my young friend from Judah," said Jupheena. "I have been deeply affected by thy history, and that of thy n.o.ble brothers. I trust, that in the absence of thy friends, we shall be able to make thee happy."

"Since we left our beloved Jerusalem, and even before, we have experienced naught but kindness from the n.o.ble officers of the king, especially the most excellent Barzello. His sympathies have well-nigh overwhelmed us, and we shall love him as long as we live, and implore the blessing of the G.o.d of Israel to rest upon his household. Was it not he that kindly spoke of thy young handmaiden to thy father?"

"I am not aware who it was that first spoke to my father of the maid of Judah," replied Jupheena, smiling, "but Barzello, surely, is deeply interested in thy welfare."

Barzello again entered, and Perreeza looked for the other officer, but no other officer was present. Jupheena arose, and, taking her young companion by the hand, led her to her father.

"Maid of Judah, I have now the pleasure of presenting thee to my own dear father, the king's officer, under whose roof I trust thou wilt find a welcome home."

"And this is his only daughter, Jupheena, of whom he spoke," said Barzello, highly delighted. "I trust the maid of Judah will find her a pleasant companion."

Such was the effect of this innocent piece of deception on the mind of young Perreeza, that all the response she could make, was to fall on the neck of her young companion, and weep aloud. But those tears were tears of joy; and those lofty walls were witnesses to the fast falling of other tears than those shed by the maid of Judah.

"Blessed be the Lord G.o.d of Israel!" cried Perreeza, when partially recovered, "who hath given me favor in the eyes of this people! May Jehovah smile upon his servant Barzello, and upon his lovely daughter, who thus throw open their door to welcome an orphan maid of Israel."

"Thou shalt find under this roof a welcome home," said Barzello, affectionately taking Perreeza by the hand; "in Jupheena thou wilt find a worthy companion and an affectionate friend."

"Thy daughter," answered Jupheena, "will always esteem it a high pleasure to add to the happiness of her young friend."

"And Jehovah a.s.sisting me," cried the Hebrew maid, "I will endeavor so to walk before my kind protectors as to be always worthy of their friendly regard."

"If it be pleasing to thy young friend," said Barzello, addressing himself to his daughter, "she may be again conducted to inform her brothers of her new home."

"My brothers will be overjoyed," answered Perreeza, "to learn of the happiness of their sister; and to me, it will afford the greatest pleasure to convey to them the joyful intelligence."

"If it will please my daughter," said Barzello, "she may accompany us.

What sayest thou, Jupheena?"

"Thy daughter most gratefully accepts thy kind offer."

"Our young friend, peradventure, will be pleased to see her brothers and cousin without any delay, while Jupheena will accompany her father on an errand of business at the house of an officer nearby. Thou mayest inform thy brothers and cousin that we shall call and see them presently."

Perreeza embraced the opportunity, and, thanking the officer with one of her peculiar smiles, hurried to their apartment.

"Back again, precious Perreeza!" cried Azariah, hastening to meet her.

"And did our sister see the king's officer and his young daughter, of whom Barzello spoke?"

"I did!" exclaimed his sister, while unusual joy beamed in her countenance.

"And from thy countenance I am prepared to judge that the interview has been a happy one," said her cousin Daniel.

"Never was there a happier interview, cousin. The n.o.ble officer's kindness is unbounded, and his daughter is one of the loveliest beings I ever beheld."

"Perreeza, I trust, will not forget the kindness of Barzello, in the warmth of her grat.i.tude to her new friend," said Azariah.

"Never fear that, my dear brother. The remembrance of Barzello's kindness is too deeply graven on Perreeza's heart to be ever forgotten; and while I remain under the roof of the king's officer, I shall daily become more and more deeply indebted to the kind Barzello."

"It must be that through his kind interposition our beloved sister found so good a home," said Mishael, "and if this officer, under whose roof she has found a shelter, partakes of the spirit of Barzello, her home must be a happy one. Perreeza, does he appear like unto our n.o.ble friend?"

"The very image of him!" said the sister, laughing heartily. "Now, brothers and cousin, let Perreeza undeceive you on this point. This n.o.ble officer, whose house is to be my future home, is none other than our own ill.u.s.trious Barzello himself. This truth was made known to me in a way that well-nigh prostrated me. Oh, brothers, is not this delightful?"

"Praised be Jehovah!" broke from the lips of the youths of Judah.

"For conversation we have but a short time," said Perreeza; "Barzello and his lovely Jupheena are below, and will be here in a few moments, and from hence I accompany them to their home. Hark ye! I hear their footsteps."

Barzello, with a smiling countenance, entered the apartment, leading by the hand his beautiful daughter. Perreeza ran to meet her young companion, while the four youths were not wanting in appropriate obeisance to the n.o.ble officer; all of which was closely watched by the smiling young Chaldean maid.