Page:By order of the Czar.djvu/30



i8 BY ORDER OF THE CZAR.

change in the governorship. It is true we are parting with a kind and benevolent man, and we should rejoice in his promotion."

" If it is promotion," said Ferrari.

" Yes, my son, it is the Governor has told me so him- self; and as a good wife makes a good husband, so do good subjects make good governments, and there is some truth in the credit which General Poltava gives to me for the peace and happiness we enjoy in Czarovna. I have conciliated our masters, propitiated our neighbors, our people have placed their interests in my keeping. I have in my dealings followed the example of my father ; and the result of this policy is seen in the gates of the Ghetto having for years rusted on their hinges, unused and for- gotten, and in the neighborly relationship of Christian and Jew, such as exists at this day, Ferrari as you were telling me when last you favored us with your welcome presence in that city of the sea, which once was the seat of perse- cutions and butcheries of our race beyond the power of pen or tongue to describe."

' It is so, my father ; and it would be to Southern Russia as if the Messiah were with them, could our people enjoy the blessings their brethren enjoy in Venice and in London."

" And in regard to which Czarovna stands only second, eh, Ferrari ? "

" Czarovna has many blessings," said the Italian.

" Thou art my blessing, Anna," said Klosstock, " and it grows late."

The Jewish maiden rose, embraced her father, took her leave of the rabbi and their guest, and taking up a quaint old lamp retired, her heart full of the hope that if she and he whom she loved did bend their steps to other lands where the original yoke of the Egyptians had indeed fallen clean away from the Jewish shoulders, her father might be