Two horses stood before the door, and on one of them sat Zenobia.

Blanka ran to her and took her hand.
"Have you come at last ?" she exclaimed.

"Oh, how long we've been looking for you! Let me help you down." Zenobia, however, sat silent and made no move to dismount.
"Where is Jonathan ?" asked Blanka.
"There he is." Zenobia pointed to the other horse, on whose back was bound a swathed form--a corpse.
"Jonathan!" cried Blanka, wildly.
"Your brother killed my father," Zenobia continued in a monotone, "and my brothers killed your brother; and so it will go on now for nobody knows how long." Blanka was stricken speechless with horror, but Anna, who followed her, broke out in lamentations, until a strong hand was laid on her from behind and Aaron's voice was heard saying: "Don't cry, don't make a noise! If the people inside hear you, they'll come out and tear Ciprianu's daughter to pieces; and she is now our guest." Anna buried her face in Blanka's bosom.
"Alexander," said Aaron, softly, turning to his brother, "go in and tell the gipsy band to play a lively reel.

The company must be kept amused." Meanwhile Manasseh had appeared.
"Manasseh," whispered Aaron, "come and help me lift our brother down from the horse." These words were to Manasseh like a dagger-thrust in his heart.

His knees trembled under him.