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"This is Perreeza, our sister," replied Azariah; "her sense of obligation to our noble friend for his generous feelings in her behalf, has prompted her to embrace the privilege of appearing in person, to acknowledge her deep gratitude." "It gives me much pleasure to behold your sister, but I am not aware of any service rendered that calls for a great amount of gratitude."
"Your sister will now accompany us home. Any article she wishes conveyed thither, shall be sent for without delay. Now, my daughter, are we ready?" "All ready, father, unless Perreeza has aught unfinished." "I have naught to hinder," answered Perreeza, with a trembling voice. IN A ROYAL apartment, decorated in superlative grandeur, sat the powerful monarch of Chaldea. He was alone.
"Now, brothers and cousin, let Perreeza undeceive you on this point. This noble officer, whose house is to be my future home, is none other than our own illustrious Barzello himself. This truth was made known to me in a way that well-nigh prostrated me. Oh, brothers, is not this delightful?" "Praised be Jehovah!" broke from the lips of the youths of Judah.
The last delivered was confidentially handed to Apgomer by Mathias, and was written by Perreeza. The letter from Daniel was first considered. It was read aloud by Azariah. "Ever Dear Cousins: I have this moment read the wonderful proclamation of the king, in regard to the great image of Bel, to be dedicated on the plains of Dura.
Soon Perreeza found herself by the side of her kind friend, in a richly-ornamented chariot, that hurried them through the wide and busy thoroughfares. Perreeza was somewhat astonished at the greatness and grandeur of this Gentile metropolis. "Your Babylon is truly a great city," said she. "The greatest on record. How in thine eye compares its beauty with the capital of Judah?"
"Perreeza has but just commenced her seventeenth year." "This request must be presented before my lord, the king. Call again at the setting of the sun, and ye shall learn his pleasure in this matter. Be assured that my influence shall be exerted in your behalf."
"And from thy countenance I am prepared to judge that the interview has been a happy one," said her cousin Daniel. "Never was there a happier interview, cousin. The noble officer's kindness is unbounded, and his daughter is one of the loveliest beings I ever beheld." "Perreeza, I trust, will not forget the kindness of Barzello, in the warmth of her gratitude to her new friend," said Azariah.
"To me it is quite refreshing," said Perreeza, "to hear a name that is familiar in Israel. I have many relatives in Judah who are called by thy name." "Our national feelings are strong," said the young man, "and, if I have learned correctly, this feeling is said to be stronger in the Hebrew heart than in all others."
But I was thinking that seventy and two years ago this very night, myself and my two brothers here, accompanied by our beloved Jeremiah, entered this house, and revealed the sad story of our captivity to our beloved Perreeza." "Ah, dear Hananiah! and a dark night of sorrow that proved to your almost brokenhearted sister."
In company with the young men, when they broke the news of the king's decision to Perreeza, was Jeremiah the Prophet. "Oh, brothers!" exclaimed the distressed maiden, "must ye be torn away from an only sister? Oh, man of God! What will Perreeza do? My heart will break. Oh, my brothers! We cannot part!" and she fell on the neck of Hananiah and wept bitterly.
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