As the ears of Isaac received the hopes of escape which this speech

intimated, he began gradually, and inch by inch, as it were, to raise

himself up from the ground, until he fairly rested upon his knees,

throwing back his long grey hair and beard, and fixing his keen black

eyes upon the Palmer's face, with a look expressive at once of hope and

fear, not unmingled with suspicion. But when he heard the concluding

part of the sentence, his original terror appeared to revive in full

force, and he dropt once more on his face, exclaiming, "'I' possess the

means of securing good-will! alas! there is but one road to the favour

of a Christian, and how can the poor Jew find it, whom extortions have

already reduced to the misery of Lazarus?" Then, as if suspicion had

overpowered his other feelings, he suddenly exclaimed, "For the love of

God, young man, betray me not--for the sake of the Great Father who

made us all, Jew as well as Gentile, Israelite and Ishmaelite--do me no

treason! I have not means to secure the good-will of a Christian beggar,

were he rating it at a single penny." As he spoke these last words, he

raised himself, and grasped the Palmer's mantle with a look of the

most earnest entreaty. The pilgrim extricated himself, as if there were

contamination in the touch.

"Wert thou loaded with all the wealth of thy tribe," he said, "what

interest have I to injure thee?--In this dress I am vowed to poverty,

nor do I change it for aught save a horse and a coat of mail. Yet think

not that I care for thy company, or propose myself advantage by it;

remain here if thou wilt--Cedric the Saxon may protect thee."

"Alas!" said the Jew, "he will not let me travel in his train--Saxon or

Norman will be equally ashamed of the poor Israelite; and to travel

by myself through the domains of Philip de Malvoisin and Reginald

Front-de-Boeuf--Good youth, I will go with you!--Let us haste--let

us gird up our loins--let us flee!--Here is thy staff, why wilt thou

tarry?"

"I tarry not," said the Pilgrim, giving way to the urgency of his

companion; "but I must secure the means of leaving this place--follow

me."

He led the way to the adjoining cell, which, as the reader is apprised,

was occupied by Gurth the swineherd.--"Arise, Gurth," said the Pilgrim,

"arise quickly. Undo the postern gate, and let out the Jew and me."




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