The soldiers had beaten in the north gate, and were in possession of the house.

The terrible sense of being hunted smote him.

His first impulse was to fly; but where?
Nothing but wings would serve him.

Tirzah, her eyes wild with fear, caught his arm.
"O Judah, what does it mean ?" The servants were being butchered--and his mother! Was not one of the voices he heard hers?
With all the will left him, he said, "Stay here, and wait for me, Tirzah.

I will go down and see what is the matter, and come back to you." His voice was not steady as he wished.