change my determination to sweep away all obstacles from my path, into deadly hatred towards thyself. But enough. I will see thee no more till thy face blanches at the sight of the grim instruments of death.”

He turned and left the dungeon, before he could receive an answer; and Azriel again betook himself to prayer. Yet that holy exercise brought him not peace at first. Shobab had said enough to awaken his natural love of life, and, remembering that as yet the Son of God had not burst the bands of death, we shall understand how ever and anon life appeared so sweet, and death so bitter. Then, too, there seemed some reason in the dark insinuations of the foe as to his Rachel. She had no brother, and when Elkanah was dead-he was an old man-who should defend her? Was it possible that she, now so happy, should live-not to shame and dishonour, no! her spirit was too pure, too heroic for that, but to abject misery and slavery. Yet why should he distrust his God? she and himself were alike watched by His gracious eyes, He was the "Dwelling-place of His people to all generations." And so faith triumphed again, till, as the evening closed in, and the last gleams of light died away, he could pour out his soul in those sweet strains in which David expresses his confidence, that even in the valley of the shadow of death the rod and staff of Jehovah would comfort him.

CHAPTER VIII.

DELIVERANCE.

WHILE Azriel and Shobab were thus each in his own way setting before the other the alternatives of life and death, Hananiah and Eliakim were holding anxious converse in a chamber of the royal palace on Mount Zion.

“I have not seen thy son, O Hananiah, since the Sabbath. I hope no sickness has befallen him to keep him from the courts of the Temple," said Eliakim.

"No sickness, for God hath given him health abundantly; but he has left me to recreate himself in the house of Shobab in Hebron."

"In the house of Shobab, the son of the Assyrian woman?" asked Eliakim, in a tone of surprise and displeasure.

'And why not?" returned Hananiah. man of honour and wisdom.

counsel than he."

"He is a

None is more skilful in

"But I fear me he seeks not the peace of Jerusalem, and I know that he consorts with those that love not Jehovah. Nay, more, tidings have reached me that

even now he frameth a device against Hezekiah and the Temple."

"Thy words fill me with astonishment and dismay. But why does this thought come into thy heart?" "Thou shalt hear," answered Eliakim. "Thou knowest that I have long believed that the heart of Shebna inclines to the heathen, and that he practises their abominations in secret places. I have, therefore, caused a watch to be set upon him, lest he should bring trouble upon Judah. Now there have been but two months since he rode forth from Jerusalem to Hebron and went to the house of this Shobab. And on the same day many of the chief men met there, and there was a great banquet. And who were they that Shobab thus brought together? Even all such as break the laws of our God; the friends and counsellors of Shebna, and young men that walk in the lusts of their own heart? Should thy son, O Hananiah, be at peace with such as are the adversaries of Jehovah?

"God forbid! but thou hast not told me all; what followed upon this banquet?"

"I know nothing certainly, but I know that ever since messengers have been running to and fro from Shobab to Shebna, and that all those who despise the Law resort to their houses continually, as if to compass some evil design, which they lie in wait to execute.”

"But oftentimes hath Azriel of late held converse with Shobab, and I know that my son would come not into the secret counsels of the wicked."

"Is it so indeed? then may God deliver him from the snare that hath been laid for his feet! For seest

thou not that if he cannot lead him astray he will surely seek his life to destroy it?"

"It may be that thou art speaking the words of wisdom; I will forthwith send for my son and bid him return with all speed. God send that no harm has befallen him! Peace be with thee!"

And Hananiah, with pale face and anxious thoughts, returned to his home and directed that Carmi, a trusty retainer, whose fidelity he had often proved, should forthwith be brought from the fields into his presence. The servant soon made his appearance, and with folded hands awaited the commands of his master.

Carmi," said the latter, "I know that thou lovest Azriel, my son ?"

"Ay!" he answered, "even as I love the children of my youth."

Then delay not, but take my swiftest mule, and hie to Hebron to the house of Shobab, and there ask to see thy lord, and bid him return to me at once, for heart goes out after him, and I fear lest some mischief befall him."

my

"I will be even as a fleet dromedary to do thy will,” answered Carmi; and in less than two hours after he might have been seen riding with headlong haste through the corn-fields and vineyards of Bethlehem.

Scarcely had he left behind him the walls of that little town, when he noticed some one running in front of him, who ever and anon seemed obliged to pause through sheer exhaustion. At the sight of a man well mounted he uttered a doleful cry, and appeared to put forth all his strength in a fresh effort to escape. But

his wearied limbs could no longer obey the spirit's impulse, and he sank as if lifeless on the ground. Carmi soon reached him, and finding that he yet lived, dismounted, took a leathern bottle from his girdle, and pouring some wine down his throat waited impatiently till he gave signs of returning consciousness. The fugitive presently opened his eyes, looked up with a terror-stricken face, clasped Carmi's knees and cried piteously, "Do not slay me, do not slay me!"

"I am no robber, man," said Carmi; "be not afraid, but tell me how I can help thee; and be brief, too, for I cannot linger."

"I am an unhappy man," began the fugitive, “one of three brothers. One day I was working in the field with my younger brother; we were felling wood, when he taunted me for fetching such feeble strokes. At last I grew impatient, and in my passion threw away my axe. I swear I meant him no harm, but he stooped down at that moment, and, alas! alas! the axe cleft his head and he sank down at my feet, his beautiful features covered with the streaming blood. Full of horror I lifted him hastily up, but he fell from my arms a senseless weight,-dead. But, oh! by Him that made us, I meant him no harm, I meant him no harm! I hid myself about my father's homestead for two days unseen, I heard his imprecations, and my mother's cry of anguish. Then I fled, and I fear lest the avenger of blood overtake me before I can reach Hebron, the city of refuge. But I meant him no harm, I meant him no harm!"

Carmi listened to this story with the greatest hor