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70 BY ORDER OF THE CZAR.

trouble is somehow in ourselves ; but, mistress, where is your servant ? "

" She is in my chamber, packing my jewels."

11 Call her down."

Deborah called the maid, who came with a small box in her hand and a bundle of rich silk shawls on her arm.

" Listen," said Ferrari ; " listen, all of you ! The wolves are without, there is no time to lose. Is all prepared for our retreat ? "

"All," said Grunstein.

" Then let us waste no time."

For the moment there was a lull outside ; it seemed as if the mob had passed on.

" As if," said the old man,. divining Ferrari's thoughts, " they had seen the ancient sign and we are saved."

" Did any one see you enter ? "

" When ? " asked the old man.

" When we were separated, and you made for home."

" I think not."

"A stranger followed me," said Ferrari: "one of the agents of the rising an Eastern man, I'll swear. I had nearly stabbed him on the doorstep ; but he can wait. Come, dear friends."

" I heard thee bar the doors ; we are safe, my son, at present ; let us refresh ourselves ; thou art pale, thy lips are dry."

At a nod, Deborah^ his wife, brought wine and cakes from a little cabinet.

" I like your courage, old friend," said Ferrari, " it re- bukes me ; my nerves are shaken."

" I know how easy it is to retire to those chambers within," said Grunstein, " and there is no need to run now."

" Would to Heaven we might have stood yonder by that scaffold," said Ferrari ; " surely, after all, it would have been