for the Messiah to come 66 with power," and restore Jerusalem; but truly, the Messiah had proved to him "a stumbling block," as an unbelieving Jewand as truly to the Greeks of the same description, "foolishness." He was offended at the lowly, humble meekness of JESUS, and the ignominious death of the cross. Not reading right in the scriptures before him the characteristics describing the Saviour, "blindness prevailed," but all was duly fulfilled— destruction and dispersion. Yet still they look for him, who was with us. Abishai had been among the most eager to take the life of Peter, after that of James the Great, and if, by any means, he could make himself master of Peter's person, much would he have rejoiced. He had been among those, also, who caused the death of Peter's wife, but was not near enough, through the crowd and darkness, to be certain of seeing the apostle, though he assuredly saw Zerah support some female; but in the confusion of an enraged multitude, presently lost sight of him, and merely supposed that humanity induced attention to, perhaps, a fainting person; for never would he have supposed that Zerah was about to place the daughter of Peter in the care of the queen. The matter passed from his thoughts; and finding that the royal pardon had been extended to Zerah, in the matter of self-defence against Sanballad, was glad that this most highly regarded friend of his son had passed through such a peril. Since the death of Rachel, who was, he knew, accused of being a Christian convert, and perished in consequence

he conceived there was no influence likely to convert him, (admitting that it was not merely accusation and suspicion, with regard to Rachel,) and on every other point, the young Zerah stood well in his opinion.

There were shortly to assemble at Jerusalem several neighboring kings on a visit to Agrippa, which visit was delayed on account of the death of the queen; but so soon as he could recover a greater degree of composure, the illustrious guests were to come. Preparations were making generally for this event. Abishai made his, and had written for Alemeth to be present with him at court, and to see the shows at Cesarea, in honor of Claudius the Emperor; whence he should go to Rome, unless he preferred to return to Alexandria; besides, being very fond of his son, he desired much to see him, and resolved himself to put Alemeth's house in order, that it might be handsomely ready to receive him. His own permanent residence was at Cesarea, and when at Jerusalem, he made his home with his wife's father; with whom, since a widower, the daughters of Abishai resided, according to his wish,-and highly gratifying to the young women, as motherless, was this arrangement, which gave them the opportunity also of cheering the declining years of their grandfather and grandmother.

Unfortunately for Zerah and Petronilla, the intention of seeing to his son's house, and previously

going over it, was put in practice that day; and when the door of the apartment was opened, Petronilla believed that Zerah was returned to impart some information, and rose from her seat to meet him, hastily brushing away tears, for she wept for her mother's fate. Abishai started, as though he beheld a beautiful vision, and as he advanced she drew back, perceiving a stranger; but on his drawing nearer still, she held down her blushing, half-averted face. Instantly powerful passion was depicted in his countenance, as strongly marked as when in former days the elders beheld the fair Susannah. "Who

are you, lovely damsel? and how in this solitary house?" "Misfortune has placed me here for a few hours; when they are past, I shall no longer intrude." "Such beauty is privileged to be every where." He folded her in his arms-he pressed her lips. Her repulses compelled him to desist from a repetition of the insult, while she involuntarily exclaimed, "JESUS, LORD of life, save me !” "Ha! maiden, do you pronounce your own condemnation? but too lovely, young Christian, are you for the common fate of your sect-I will place you in a more cheerful apartment than this. In the mean time, till I can arrange to remove you to it, even to Cesarea, I must hide you from all eyes but my own. Be not refractory, for my will is law, and you shall be in private as much a Christian as you please."

Petronilla stood like a living statue-she made no

reply, and awfully felt her powerless situation-she could not expect succor, as Zerah would not be with her till evening,

Abishai said impatiently, "Did you hear me, maiden?" She now fixed her bright and penetrating eyes upon him, and calmly answered, "I heard you, and now presume to ask, who is acting a part so very unbecoming his years, and by what right does he speak of hiding a person over whom he has no control ?" "Thou simple child, I have control, you see, by what I can do. Come at once-be passive-to another room, for the few hours you confess you were to remain in this house, and I will promise you a pretty gilded cage, my Christian prisoner, where no harm shall happen-come!" He passed his arm round her waist, forcibly withdrawing her from the apartment, while she resisted. He inquired, "Why so averse to quitting this room?" "Because," she faintly replied, "a friend may". "And who may that be? One thing you must hear had you still been a Jewess religiously, instead of only by descent, I might have permitted your departure; nay, would have conveyed you to your friends but now, never shall you see them!—there is no indignity in any treatment you-an apostatecan receive! I ain your only friend, and no man shall dare to take you from me." Saying these words, the terrified Petronilla was taken out of the

room.

When evening came, Zerah, who had prepared his father and pleased mother for receiving Petro

nilla, left them, and reached the house of Alemeth, never doubting but that she was precisely where he expected to find her. He was therefore greatly surprised to see several doors of other apartments open, and in one of them a lamp burning, near to which sat a man apparently examining the head of an ancient spear.

Zerah paused, for he knew not which way to turn: he dared not ask for Petronilla of that person, for he discovered the features of Abishai as he turned round, and then rose from his seat. Zerah was about retiring to wait for Abishai's probably quick departure for it might be that he had not seen Petronilla-his desire of returning was frustrated by hearing his own name pronounced, and "What brings you here? Did you expect already to find Alemeth at home?"

Zerah, who had no certain information that his friend was immediately looked for from Alexandria, though he supposed his father might have urged his quick return to Jerusalem, on account of being present at the approaching kingly visits, &c., was at first unable to make a reply. He hesitated, became confused, and Abishai at a glance discovered who was the friend to whom the young maiden alluded, and he smiled malignantly, yet continued to speak. "You appear unusually taciturn, Zerah, must I repeat my question ?"

Zerah aroused himself: "Permit me to ask you a question; are you here in expectation of my dear friend's speedy arrival ?"