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Updated: July 10, 2025
"Ah Bruno," said Abraham rather sadly, "thy religion is not that of other Christians." "It is better," said Belasez softly. "Father, my Christianity is Christ. I concern not myself with other men, except to save them, so far as it pleases God to work by me." "Well, well! May Adonai forgive us all! My son, what dost thou mean to do with the child? It is for thee to decide now."
The Countess had not returned from the coronation festivities, and the girls were alone in Margaret's bower, when Father Bruno entered, with "God save all here!" Belasez rose hastily, and prepared to withdraw. "Wait, my child," said the priest, gently: "I would speak with thee." But when she turned in answer, and he saw her face, some strange and terrible emotion seemed to convulse his own.
After half-an-hour's quiet, Margaret and Eva entered the ante-chamber. "Hast thou dined, Belasez?" asked Margaret, kindly. "I thank my damsel, yes." "Did Levina bring thee such dishes as thou mightest eat?" "According to our law? Oh yes." It was rather a relief to Belasez that the question took that form. "Then that is all right," said Margaret, innocently, and passed on into her own room.
"She was a great friend of mine, daughter, and I loved her very dearly," said Licorice, applying one hand to her perfectly dry eyes a proceeding which imparted to Belasez, who knew that such terms from her were generally to be interpreted by the rule of contrary, a strong impression that she had hated her.
Doucebelle looked up in surprise at the tone, and saw that Belasez was in tears. "We had priests," said the young Jewess. "We had sons of Aaron, and a temple, and an altar, and a holy oracle, whereby the Blessed One made known His will in all matters of doubt and perplexity to His people. But where are they now? The mountains of Zion are desolate, and the foxes walk upon them.
"Nay, what has she, Genta?" "I am sure some one has been telling her something. She has asked me to-night if she had not once a sister, and if her name were not Anegay." The exclamation in reply was more forcible than elegant. But that night, as Belasez lay in bed, through half-closed eyes she saw her mother enter and hold the lantern to her face.
"Delecresse," she said, the first time she was alone with her brother, "had we ever a sister?" "Never, to my knowledge," said Delecresse, looking as if he wondered what had put that notion into her head. Evidently he knew nothing. "Genta," she said, "tell me when my sister died." "Thy sister, Belasez?" Genta's expression was one of most innocent perplexity. "Hadst thou ever a sister?"
Doucebelle went with her, and silently noticed two facts: that Belasez stood for a few minutes in silent prayer, with her face turned to the wall, before she offered to undress; and that she was fast asleep almost as soon as her head had touched the pillow. Doucebelle stood still and looked at the sleeping girl. Why was it so wicked to be a Jew?
A few words from Doucebelle explained. Still the Countess was extremely dissatisfied. "My maid," she said, "thy father may think I have not kept my word. I ought to have told Father Bruno. I never thought of it, when he first came. I am very sorry. Has he talked with thee on matters of religion at all?" "Yes." Belasez explained no further. "Dear, dear!" said the Countess.
Belasez kissed the hand of the Countess, and then turned and followed Margaret to the ante-chamber. "Art thou very tired, Belasez?" "Very, very weary, my Damsel. We have come fourteen miles on foot since yesterday." Very weary Belasez looked.
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