of Judah?"

"Yea, verily! this day thou shalt see her; and if thou art well pleased
with her and with her society, she may be an inmate of my house, and a
companion for my daughter."

"But can the young maiden converse in Chaldee?"

"She speaks our language, my daughter, with a degree of fluency that is
really astonishing. It is evident that her attainments are quite
superior, and that all the advantages which Judah's capital could afford
have been lavished upon her."

"Oh! it will be delightful to learn beautiful stories of other lands, and
have such a sweet and lovely creature for my companion; I am almost
impatient to see her."

"I will have her conveyed hither without delay. If I mistake not, the
maiden will be delighted to tarry under the roof of one whom she calls
her 'bountiful benefactor.' Thy father will now leave for a short season,
to attend to some business matters of importance. In two hours I return."
And kissing his sweet Jupheena, the soldier hurried out of the apartment.
A chariot stood ready at his door, into which he stepped, and was hurried
away to another part of the city.



CHAPTER IX.

THE royal captives, on arriving in the city, were conveyed, according to