there was a divinity in that awful voice of warning, and for a short
period, at least, their hearts throbbed with guilty emotions of fear.
Many a proud daughter of Judah trembled and turned pale, as she gazed on
the solemn visage of the uninvited stranger, and as she listened to the
deeptoned eloquence that fell from his lips. Others there were who felt a
strange throbbing of heart, but each one vied with his fellow to hide his
real feelings; and soon, by a show of bravado, the concourse fell back to
the usual hilarity, marked by more than an ordinary degree of unholy wit,
and blasphemous sarcasm.



CHAPTER IV.

THE night was far advanced, and there were indications that the great
festival was drawing to a close. The last feature expected was an address
from the king. The hour appointed had arrived, and expectation ran high,
but Jehoiakim made not his appearance. At last Sherakim appeared before
the vast audience, and commenced an apology for the absence of the
monarch in the following strain:

"Princes and Nobles of Judah! It is with heartfelt regret that I am
compelled to convey to you the painful intelligence that our illustrious
sovereign, owing to illness, will not be able to deliver the royal
address. This no one can regret more than your unworthy servant. Is it
any wonder that--"

Just at this time, the king himself, with a flushed countenance and a
very unsteady step, appeared on the stage. It was glaringly evident to
all who were not in the same condition themselves, that the King of Judah