 her patient now regarded her as one
of a race of reprobation, with whom it was disgraceful to hold any beyond the
most necessary intercourse, ceased not to pay the same patient and devoted
attention to his safety and convalescence. She informed him of the necessity
they were under of removing to York, and of her father's resolution to transport
him thither, and tend him in his own house until his health should be restored.
Ivanhoe expressed great repugnance to this plan, which he grounded on
unwillingness to give farther trouble to his benefactors.
    »Was there not,« he said, »in Ashby, or near it, some Saxon franklin, or
even some wealthy peasant, who would endure the burden of a wounded countryman's
residence with him until he should be again able to bear his armour? - Was there
no convent of Saxon endowment, where he could be received? - Or could he not be
transported as far as Burton, where he was sure to find hospitality with
Waltheoff the Abbot of Saint Withold's, to whom he was related?«
    »Any, the worst of these harbourages,« said Rebecca, with a melancholy
smile, »would unquestionably be more fitting for your residence than the abode
of a despised Jew; yet, Sir Knight, unless you would dismiss your physician, you
cannot change your lodging. Our nation, as you well know, can cure wounds,
though we deal not in inflicting them; and in our family, in particular, are
secrets which have been handed down since the days of Solomon, and of which you
have already experienced the advantages. No Nazarene - I crave your forgiveness,
Sir Knight - no Christian leech, within the four seas of Britain, could enable
you to bear your corselet within a month.«
    »And how soon wilt thou enable me to brook it?« said Ivanhoe, impatiently.
    »Within eight days, if thou wilt be patient and conformable to my
directions,« replied Rebecca.
    »By our Blessed Lady,« said Wilfred, »if it be not a sin to name her here,
it is no time for me or any true knight to be bedridden; and if thou accomplish
thy promise, maiden, I will pay thee with my casque full of crowns, come by them
as I may.«
    »I will accomplish my promise,« said Rebecca, »and thou shalt bear thine
armour on the eighth day from hence, if thou wilt grant me but one boon in the
stead of the silver thou dost promise me.«
    »If it be within my power,
