There was in it something of a wild joy which had come to her heart from the generous admission which the Jewess made.

She did triumph as she remembered that she had conquered with no other weapons than those which nature had given her.
"It is more of contentment than I shall ever have," said Rebecca.
"Listen to me.

If you will say to me that you will release him from his promise, I will swear to you by the God whom we both worship, that I will never become his wife--that he shall never touch me or speak to me in love." She had risen before she made this proposal, and now stood before Nina with one hand raised, with her blue eyes fixed upon Nina's face, and a solemnity in her manner which for a while startled Nina into silence.

"You will believe my word, I am sure," said Rebecca.
"Yes, I would believe you," said Nina.
"Shall it be a bargain between us?
Say so, and whatever is mine shall be mine and yours too.

Though a Jew may not make a Christian his wife, a Jewish girl may love a Christian maiden; and then, Nina, we shall both know that we have done our very best for him whom we both love better than all the world beside." Nina was again silent, considering the proposition that had been made to her.