Rachel gazed at it long and tenderly.

Then she said, "Bring me water while there is yet time." When the water was brought she dipped her trembling hand into it, and made the sign of the Cross upon the babe's forehead, baptising her with the name of Miriam, after that of her own mother, to the service and the company of Jesus the Christ.
"Now," she said, "whether she live an hour or an hundred years, this child is a Christian, and whatever befalls, should she come to the age of understanding, see to it, Nou, who are henceforth the foster-mother of her body and her soul, that she does not forget the rites and duties of her faith.

Lay this charge on her also as her father commanded, and as I command, that should she be moved to marriage, she wed none who is not a Christian.

Tell her that such was the will of those who begat her, and that if she be obedient to it, although they are dead, and as it seems strengthless, yet shall their blessing be upon her all her life's days, and with it the blessing of the Lord she serves." "Oh!" moaned Nehushta, "why do you speak thus ?" "Because I am dying.

Gainsay me not.