He sat still a long time, with pallid face and laboring heart.

Now and then, as if to show the thoughts which were most poignant, he muttered, "Lepers, lepers! They--my mother and Tirzah--they lepers! How long, how long, O Lord!" One moment he was torn by a virtuous rage of sorrow, next by a longing for vengeance which, it must be admitted, was scarcely less virtuous.
At length he arose.
"I must look for them.

They may be dying." "Where will you look ?" asked Malluch.
"There is but one place for them to go." Malluch interposed, and finally prevailed so far as to have the management of the further attempt intrusted to him.

Together they went to the gate over on the side opposite the Hill of Evil Counsel, immemorially the lepers' begging-ground.

There they stayed all day, giving alms, asking for the two women, and offering rich rewards for their discovery.