Rebecca gave no answer, but drew back with a shudder.
“Come, my fair one! It becometh us to dispense with formality. Thou hast escaped the waves, and we give thee shelter and protection. Welcome to these fair halls. As the poet hath sung:—
‘And no god on heaven or earth—
Not the Paphian Queen of Mirth,
Nor the vivid Lord of Light,
Nor the triple Maid of Night,
Nor the Thunderer’s self, shall be
Blest and honor’d more than thee!’”
“O thou noble Roman!” said the Hebrew lad, opening his eyes wide upon Marcius. “We thank thee for [pg 27]thy hospitality to the children of Benoni; and now we will depart. Peace be with thee!”
“My young son of Israel! The tempest still rages without. The night is chill and boisterous for thy fair sister.”