Her father had also sided with him, and for the first time ceased to reproach him with his origin.
But, on the third day after Hosea's return, Hornecht had gone to talk with him and since then everything had changed for the worse. He must be best aware what had caused the man of whom she, his daughter, must think no evil, to be changed from a friend to a mortal foe.
She had looked enquiringly at him as she spoke, and he did not refuse to answer—Hornecht had told him that he would be a welcome son-in-law.
"And you?" asked Kasana, gazing anxiously into his face.
"I," replied the prisoner, "was forced to say that though you had been dear and precious to me from your childhood, many causes forbade me to unite a woman's fate to mine."
Kasana's eyes flashed, and she exclaimed:
"Because you love another, a woman of your own people, the one who sent
Ephraim to you!"
But Joshua shook his head and answered pleasantly:
"You are wrong, Kasana! She of whom you speak is the wife of another."
"Then," cried the young widow with fresh animation, gazing at him with loving entreaty, "why were you compelled to rebuff my father so harshly?"