Rebecca

in Scott's Ivanhoe, a young Jewess, the daughter of Isaac of York. Generous, courageous, highminded, she withstands all temptations that wealth and pride of place can offer her, remains loyal to her religion although it is despised by those she loves, faces an awful death at the stake with calm dignity, and, in repelling the suit of the villain, Brian de Bois-Guilbert, chooses death rather than dishonor. She is one of Scott's greatest creations and one of the noblest characters in all fiction.