"True, O king," answered Barzello, somewhat animated. "The thought of
parting grieves them beyond description. It was but this morning that the
brothers sought an interview with me on this very point, and pleaded in
her behalf with such melting eloquence as well-nigh robbed me of all my
generalship. I dismissed them by stating that I would lay their petition
before my lord the king, and that I would give them his answer at the
setting of the sun."

"Barzello!" said the king, in a firm tone, "I cannot change my purpose in
regard to those brothers. Nothing shall prevail upon me to give them up.
To Babylon they must go! I have spoken the word! Let there be no pleading
in their behalf--I cannot grant their petition."

"I humbly beg my lord the king's forgiveness," replied the officer, with
a smile; "but let me assure him that the noble youths have made no
petition of that nature." "But what do they ask?" asked the king, with
some astonishment.

"They ask, O king, as the greatest favor, that this their young orphan
sister, be permitted by the king to accompany her brothers to the land of
the Chaldeans."

"And has not this small favor been granted?"

"Barzello now stands in the presence of his sovereign in behalf of the
Hebrew damsel, asking for her a permission."

"And the permission is granted. And furthermore, Barzello, see that she
is well provided for, and dealt gently with, for the maiden is of kingly
line."