The Maccabee went on.
"So said the Psalmist to himself," he said.

"What had he to do for Jerusalem; what did he fear would win him away from that labor for Jerusalem, that he took that vow?
It was easy enough to revile Babylon, the oppressor, that stood between him and Jerusalem; but what if he had been the captive of beauty, and chained by the bonds of lovely hair!" The boy turned now and looked at the Maccabee.

The eyes of the two met fair.

Then the Maccabee unburdened his soul and told of the girl to this child, who was a Christian and a humble shepherd in the starved hills of Judea.
"I met her," the boy said after a long silence.

"And by what I learned of her spirit that night, she will not be happy to know that you have stepped aside for her sake." "You met her, also; and you loved her, too ?" The boy assented gravely.