And at the very hour Joris and Lysbet were discussing the position of

their son with regard to Miriam Cohen, the question was being definitely

settled at another point. For Joris was not the only person who had

observed Bram's devotion to the beautiful Jewess. Cohen had watched him

with close and cautious jealousy for many months; but he was far too

wise to stimulate love by opposition, and he did not believe in half

measures. When he defined Miriam's duty to her, he meant it to be in

such shape as precluded argument or uncertainty; and for this purpose

delay was necessary. Much correspondence with England had to take place,

and the mails were then irregular. But it happened that, after some

months of negotiation, a final and satisfactory letter had come to him

by the same post as brought Katherine's letter to Joris Van Heemskirk.

He read its contents with a sad satisfaction, and then locked it away

until the evening hours secured him from business interruption. Then he

went to his grandchild. He found her sitting quietly among the cushions

of a low couch. It seemed as if Miriam's thoughts were generally

sufficient for her pleasure, for she was rarely busy. She had always

time to sit and talk, or to sit and be silent. And Cohen liked best to

see her thus,--beautiful and calm, with small hands dropped or folded,

and eyes half shut, and mouth closed, but ready to smile and dimple if

he decided to speak to her.

She looked so pretty and happy and careless that for some time he did

not like to break the spell of her restful beauty. Nor did he until his

pipe was quite finished, and he had looked carefully over the notes in

his "day-book." Then he said in slow, even tones, "My child, listen to

me. This summer my young kinsman Judah Belasco will come here. He comes

to marry you. You will be a happy wife, my dear. He has moneys, and he

has the power to make moneys; and he is a good young man. I have been

cautious concerning that, my dear."

There was a long pause. He did not hurry her, but sat patiently waiting,

with his eyes fixed upon the book in his hand.

"I do not want to marry, grandfather. I am so young. I do not know Judah

Belasco."

"You shall have time, my dear. It is part of the agreement that he shall

now live in New York. He is a rich young man, my dear. He is of the

sephardim, as you are too, my dear. You must marry in your own caste;

for we are of unmixed blood, faithful children of the tribe of Judah.

All of our brethren here are Ashkenasem: therefore, I have had no rest

until I got a husband fit for you, my dear. This was my duty, though I

brought him from the end of the earth. It has cost me moneys, but I gave

cheerfully. The thing is finished now, when you are ready. But you shall

not be hurried, my dear."




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