very day, and that he enjoyed those favors from
him, notwithstanding the reproaches that Cleopatra so severely laid
against him, who having a great desire of his country, and earnestly
entreating Antony that the kingdom might be given to her, labored with
her utmost diligence to have him out of the way; but that he still
found Antony just to him, and had no longer any apprehensions of hard
treatment from him; and that he was soon upon his return, with a firmer
additional assurance of his favor to him, in his reigning and managing
public affairs; and that there was no longer any hope for Cleopatra's
covetous temper, since Antony had given her Celesyria instead of what
she had desired; by which means he had at once pacified her, and got
clear of the entreaties which she made him to have Judea bestowed upon
her.

9. When these letters were brought, the women left off their attempt for
flying to the Romans, which they thought of while Herod was supposed to
be dead; yet was not that purpose of theirs a secret; but when the king
had conducted Antony on his way against the Partnians, he returned
to Judea, when both his sister Salome and his mother informed him of
Alexandra's intentions. Salome also added somewhat further against
Joseph, though it was no more than a calumny, that he had often had
criminal conversation with Mariamne. The reason of her saying so was
this, that she for a long time bare her ill-will; for when they
had differences with one another, Mariamne took great freedoms, and
reproached the rest for the meanness of their birth. But Herod, whose
affection to Mariamne was always very warm, was presently disturbed
at this, and could not bear the torments of jealousy, but was still
restrained from doing any rash thing to her by the love he had for
her; yet did his vehement affection and jealousy together make him ask
Mariamne by herself about this matter of Joseph; but she denied it upon
her oath, and said all that an innocent woman could possibly say in her
own defense; so that by little and little the king was prevailed upon
to drop the suspicion, and left off his anger at her; and being overcome
with his passion for his wife, he made an apology to her for having
seemed to believe what he had heard about her, and returned her a
great many acknowledgments of her modest behavior, and professed the
extraordinary affection and kindness he had for her, till at last, as
is usual between lovers, they both fell into tea