So the bargain was effected, and the purchaser re-entered his house. He solaced himself, however, for the insult by saying suddenly to his wife—
“A profitable bargain, truly, thou hast made for me! What are we to do with this Gentile boy and maiden? The lowest Christians will resent our owning or selling one of themselves. And, moreover,” he added, with unfeigned disgust, “what are we to do with this unclean beast? It would be as safe to have a lion in the house, and as pleasant to have one of Samson’s foxes.”
“These creatures sell for their weight in gold, the sailor said, to the nobles of Ravenna or Constantinople, for the chase. They are afraid of nothing, and will bring down any wild beast, stag, or wolf, or bear.”
“The Unutterable grant he do not bring us down first,” he replied, encountering with much uneasiness the pricked-back ears and fully-displayed teeth of the deer-hound, emphasized as these were by a low growl, decidedly trying to the hospitality of the master of the house.
But Ethne’s arm was instantly around the dog and her hand on his head; and the wistful eyes looked up to her with a tender recognition of her tenderness, though accompanied by an evident distrust of her experience of the world.
Of his hostess Bran showed no such disapproval. He even suffered her to lay her hand gently on his mistress’s shoulder. There was little communication possible at first between them, except by such touches and looks, the imperfect Latin of the captives not being very comprehensible; whilst the language of the strangers, though possessing gutturals, nasals, and lispings not unlike their own, had no real resemblance to it.
The woman soon began to spread a meal for them at two separate tables, both carefully laid, with basins of water for washing the hands, and a towel, and well-prepared though simple food—bread and fruit, and wine of the country.
A sense came over the brother and sister of being welcomed once more in a home, and recognized as human creatures, not mere chattels; and they partook of the simple fare with the enjoyment of welcome guests and hungry children. There was a lifting up of hands and eyes in prayer and benediction before and after the meal.
When it was finished, the hostess cleared the tables, spread them again with food and drink, and made everything ready for the night in the sleeping-rooms. Then she carefully unpacked from the chest a silver candlestick with seven branches, and filled the seven lamps with oil, which when the sun set she lighted and set on their own table, the only decoration of the house. After this she sat down and elaborately did nothing, in a way which was evidently significant of some rite or festivity. Then after a time they stood up, and the host said prayers in the strange, deep-sounding language, whilst the captives watched their proceedings with much wonder and interest. It seemed to Ethne they must have fallen among some new variety of Christians. And yet with all the compassionate kindness of their hostess, they were evidently considered as apart from all these religious ceremonials, as well as excluded from sitting at the same table, whether as slaves and inferiors, or as of another race, or as in some way excommunicate, they could not quite determine.