“It is neither for them nor for me, but for God only.” She paused, then added, “Is this all you ask of me?”
“It is all the Fathers ask, but Laban asks his affianced wife.”
“And am I to be given in marriage to—this assassin?”
“Without doubt you are to be given to this brave soldier, being already his.”
“And if I refuse?”
“Then, Daughter of Nathan, it is my part to curse you in the name of God, and to declare you cut off and outcast from the people of God. It is my part to announce to you further that your life is forfeit, and that any Hebrew may kill you when and how he can, and take no blame.”
Merapi paled a little, then turning to Jabez, asked:
“You have heard, my uncle. What say you?”
Jabez looked round shiftily, and said in his unctuous voice:
“My niece, surely you must obey the commands of the Elders of Israel who speak the will of Heaven, as you obeyed them when you matched yourself against the might of Amon.”