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Let us now visit some of the homes of Judah, where the mandate of the
Babylonian king had fallen as a pall upon the inmates. With one of these
homes, located centrally and bearing evidence of prosperity and culture,
the reader is already somewhat acquainted. In the room where young Ezrom
took leave of his sisters, twenty-five years before, an interesting group
had gathered. Monroah, the last survivor of Salome's children, had wedded
Amonober, and four lovely children blessed their union. These youths were
now orphans, however, the youngest being a maiden of sixteen, who
possessed the rare beauty for which the family was noted. Her name was
Perreeza. The three brothers were named Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.
The love of these brothers for their sister was returned with all the
ardor of an affectionate and sincere girl. These youths were among those
selected as prisoners of war.

In company with the young men, when they broke the news of the king's
decision to Perreeza, was Jeremiah the Prophet.

"Oh, brothers!" exclaimed the distressed maiden, "must ye be torn away
from an only sister? Oh, man of God! What will Perreeza do? My heart will
break. Oh, my brothers! We cannot part!" and she fell on the neck of
Hananiah and wept bitterly.

"We think it not strange, dear damsel," said the prophet, "that thy young
heart is made sad. But the things that are enshrouded in mystery to-day
will yet beam forth in wondrous wisdom."

"If to Babylon my brothers go, I must accompany them," said Perreeza,
with much decision. "It must be so! Jerusalem will have no charms for me