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I am Abraham of Norwich, and my daughter's name is Belasez." Singular indeed were the Jewish names common at this time, beyond a very few Biblical ones, of which the chief were Abraham, Aaron, and Moses the last usually corrupted to Moss or Mossy. They used no surnames beyond the name of the town in which they lived. "And what years has she?" asked the Countess. "Seventeen, if it please my Lady."
He was so evidently unwilling to speak, and so regretfully tender, that Belasez's heart warmed, and she lost all her shyness. Of course, she told him more than she otherwise would have done. Belasez denied the existence of any Christian lover, or indeed of any lover at all, with such clear, honest eyes, that Abraham could not but believe her.
Belasez, long years ago, Licorice thy mother did me a cruel wrong. If I baptise thee, I shall feel it to be my revenge on her. And I have no right thus to defile the snow-white robe of thy baptism because my hands are not clean, nor to mingle the revenge of earth with the innocence of Heaven. Wait a moment." And he turned and went rapidly down the stairs. Belasez waited till he came back.
The conversation ceased rather suddenly, except for one mournful exclamation from Abraham, "Poor Anegay!" Anegay! where had Belasez heard that name before? It belonged to no friend or relative, so far as she knew. Yet that she had heard it before, and that in interesting connection with something, she was absolutely certain. Belasez dropped asleep while she was thinking.
Belasez drew her veil closely over her face, and joined Delecresse and her father's old friend Hamon in the hall. "What a time thou hast been!" said Delecresse, discontentedly. "Do let us go now. I want to be outside this accursed Castle." But to Belasez it seemed like stepping out of the sunlit fold into the dreary wilderness beyond.
"Who told her Anegay's name?" "I cannot imagine. It might be Bruno." "We have always been so careful to keep it from her hearing." There was a pause. "Didst thou find the Christian dog had tampered with her faith?" "I don't know, Licorice. I could not get that out of her." "Then he has, no doubt. I'll get it out of her." Belasez trembled at the threat. "Any thing more, old man?
The exquisite work which grew in Belasez's skilful hands evidently delighted the Countess. She was extremely kind, and the reserved but sensitive nature of Belasez went out towards her in fervent love. To Margaret, the Jewish broideress was an object of equal mystery and interest. She would sit watching her work for long periods.
"Ay de mi, canst thou not understand? I might as well leave a thief to take care of my gold carcanet as leave thee alone with Belasez. I shall come back to find the child gone off with some vile dog of a Christian, and thee tearing thy garments, like a blind, blundering bat as thou art." "Bats don't tear their garments, wife." "They run their heads upon every stone they come across.
Had Belasez been a Christian of noble birth, or even of mean extraction, she would have been regarded as an ornament of any Court in Christendom. Some nobleman or knight would very soon have found that lovely face, and her refined and dignified manners were fit for any lady in the land.
She warmed into vivid life for an instant, to make this reply; then she sank back against the wall, apparently overpowered by utter weariness. "I am glad of that," said Margaret, with her usual outspoken earnestness. "What can Levina be doing? Doucebelle, do go and see. And hast thou been hard at work at Norwich all the summer, Belasez?" "No, if it please my Damsel.
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