The second point was that among them was one lot of surpassing interest; namely, the girl who had come to be generally spoken of as Pearl-Maiden.
This young woman, who could not be more than three or four-and-twenty years of age, was the last representative of a princely family of the Jews.

She had been found exposed upon one of the gates of the holy house of that people, where it would seem she was sentenced to perish for some offence against their barbarous laws.

As the clamours of the populace that day had testified, she was of the most delicate and distinguished beauty, and the collar of great pearls which she wore about her neck gave evidence of her rank.

If he knew anything of the tastes of his countrymen the price which would be paid for her must prove a record even in that ring.

He was aware that among the vulgar a great, almost a divine name had been coupled with that of this captive.