"Murderer!" he shouted suddenly to the publican. "Bind him, lads!"

"I will seek him out," said Isaac, "for he is a good youth, and hath compassion for the exile of Jacob. But he cannot bear his armour, and what other Christian shall do battle for the oppressed of Zion?"

Pierre considered.

The poor attendant, with her eyes swollen and red with weeping, stood by; and to her Nicholas appealed in such passionate terms that she opened a side–door, and, supporting her mistress into an adjoining room, beckoned Nicholas to follow them.