Lay this charge on her also as her father commanded, and
as I command, that should she be moved to marriage, she wed none who is
not a Christian. Tell her that such was the will of those who begat her,
and that if she be obedient to it, although they are dead, and as it
seems strengthless, yet shall their blessing be upon her all her life's
days, and with it the blessing of the Lord she serves."
"Oh!" moaned Nehushta, "why do you speak thus?"
"Because I am dying. Gainsay me not. I know it well. My life ebbs from
me. My prayers have been answered, and I was preserved to give this
infant birth; now I go to my appointed place and to one who waits for
me, and to the Lord in Whose care he is in Heaven, as we are in His
care on earth. Nay, do not mourn; it is no fault of yours, nor could any
physician's skill have saved me, whose strength was spent in suffering,
and who for many months have walked the world, bearing in my breast a
broken heart. Give me of that wine to drink--and listen."
Nehushta obeyed and Rachel went on: "So soon as my breath has left me,
take the babe and seek some village on the shore where it can be nursed,
for which service you have the means to pay. Then when she is strong
enough and it is convenient, travel, not to Tyre--for there my father
would bring up the child in the strictest rites and customs of the
Jews--but to the village of the Essenes upon the shores of the Dead sea.
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