The stranger made an excuse, and they journeyed on some little further
in silence. The darkness grew less, and the astonished Rabbi, lifting
up his eyes, found that they had come to the gates of a city which he
had never before seen. Yet he knew all the cities of the land of Egypt,
and he had walked but half an hour from his dwelling in Cairo. So he
knew not what to think, but followed the man with trembling.

They soon entered the gates of the city, which was lighted up as if
there were a festival in every house. The streets were full of
revellers, and nothing but a sound of joy could be heard. But when
Jochonan looked upon their faces--they were the faces of men pained
within; and he saw, by the marks they bore, that they were Mazikin
[demons]. He was terrified in his soul; and, by the light of the
torches, he looked also upon the face of his companion, and, behold!
he saw upon him too, the mark that shewed him to be a Demon. The Rabbi
feared excessively--almost to fainting; but he thought it better to be
silent; and sadly he followed his guide, who brought him to a splendid
house, in the most magnificent quarter of the city.

"Enter here?" said the Demon to Jochonan, "for this house is mine.
The lady and the child are in the upper chamber;" and, accordingly,
the sorrowful Rabbi ascended the stair to find them.

The lady, whose dazzling beauty was shrouded by melancholy beyond hope,
lay in bed; the child, in rich raiment, slumbered on the lap of the
nurse, by her side.

"I have brought to thee, light of my eyes!" said the Demon, "Rebecca,
beloved of my soul! I have brought thee Rabbi Jochonan the wise, for