At these words the maid arose with calmness and beautiful dignity, appearing like an angel in human form, and gently responded to the very low bow of the young Babylonian. The conversation soon became animated. Mathias talked with all the warmth of his noble nature, producing a very favorable impression on the mind of the maid of Judah.
“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.”
“I am not so well prepared to vouch for the correctness of the sentiment,” said Perreeza, “but if my own feelings be an index to the sentiments of others of my nation, the saying is abundantly true.”
“It is certainly an admirable trait of character,” said the young man, “and the individual in a foreign land who can think of the home of his fathers without strong emotion is not, in my opinion, an individual to be envied.”
“Permit the maid of Judah to thank her friend for that noble sentiment.”
Here the conversation was arrested by a signal from Barzello, and the young people went forward to join the other members of the family.
“This is Perreeza, of the royal line of Judah,” said Barzello, taking the maid gently by the hand, “whom I have the great pleasure of presenting to my illustrious friend Joram.”
The blushing maid modestly bowed while Joram took her by the hand and said, with unusual feeling, “May the blessing of the God of thy fathers, dear maid, accompany thy footsteps in a foreign land.”
This blessing from the lips of a Babylonian was deeply appreciated by the young woman, who was already touched by the kindness with which she was met on every hand.