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 thee, if a bezant or two will sharpen their memory, let it not be wanting."

"They would swear the mother that bore them a sorceress for a zecchin," said the Preceptor.

"Away then," said Mont-Fitchit; "at noon the affair will proceed. I have not seen our senior in such earnest preparation since he condemned to the stake Hamet Alfagi, a convert who relapsed to the Moslem faith."

The ponderous castle-bell had tolled the point of noon, when Rebecca heard a trampling of feet upon the private stair which led to her place of confinement. The noise announced the arrival of several persons, and the circumstance rather gave her joy; for she was more afraid of the solitary visits of the fierce and passionate Bois-Guilbert than of any evil that could befal her besides. The door of the chamber was unlocked, and Conrade and the Preceptor Malvoisin entered, attended with four warders clothed in black, and bearing halberts.

"Daughter of an accursed race!" said the Preceptor, "arise and follow us."