To-night I must see the sweat of thy brow." Mizraim's cold fingers again threw themselves against his breast, forehead, and lips, and he said: "As a woman swims in a fountain, so shall I bathe in sweat for thee, who hath given with one hand and hath never taken with the other." "I did thee service once, Mizraim--eh ?" "I was as a bird buffeted by the wind; upon thy masts my feet found rest.

Behold, I build my nest in thy sails, excellency." "There are no birds in last year's nest, Mizraim, thou dove," said Nahoum, with a cynical smile.

"When I build, I build.

Where I swear by the stone of the corner, there am I from dark to dark and from dawn to dawn, pasha." Suddenly he swept his hand low to the ground and a ghastly sort of smile crossed over his face.

"Speak--I am thy servant.