footsteps."

Barzello, with a smiling countenance, entered the apartment, leading by
the hand his beautiful daughter. Perreeza ran to meet her young
companion, while the four youths were not wanting in appropriate
obeisance to the noble officer; all of which was closely watched by the
smiling young Chaldean maid.

"Have our young friends received any communications from any of the
king's officers since our last interview?"

"Thy servants have received no communication from any source, since the
departure of their kind friend, about the ninth hour," answered Daniel.

"To-morrow morning, peradventure, ye shall learn the pleasure of the king
in regard to your future course; and I trust ye will find that our noble
monarch is not wholly unmindful of your former rank and station in your
own land."

"Permit thy unworthy servants once more," said Azariah, "to acknowledge,
with grateful hearts, thy kind regards for their beloved sister, whom
thou hast taken as an inmate of thy hospitable mansion. Perreeza will
always delight to do thy pleasure, and to be the obedient servant of thy
amiable young daughter."

"Your sister, while under my roof, shall not be looked upon in an
inferior light. The chosen companion of my daughter will command due
respect from those in high circles. The maid of Judah need not feel
embarrassed, for her literary attainments will compare favorably with the
most polished maidens of her own age in Babylon. She is not a captive.