cause; but with mind and heart I will
serve thee. I swear it, by the altar of our God, and the gifts
upon the altar! Only make me formally what I have assumed to be."

"Name it," said Ben-Hur, eagerly.

"As steward the care of the property will be mine."

"Count thyself steward now; or wilt thou have it in writing?"

"Thy word simply is enough; it was so with the father, and I
will not more from the son. And now, if the understanding be
perfect"--Simonides paused.

"It is with me," said Ben-Hur.

"And thou, daughter of Rachel, speak!" said Simonides, lifting her
arm from his shoulder.

Esther, left thus alone, stood a moment abashed, her color coming
and going; then she went to Ben-Hur, and said, with a womanliness
singularly sweet, "I am not better than my mother was; and, as she
is gone, I pray you, O my master, let me care for my father."

Ben-Hur took her hand, and led her back to the chair, saying,
"Thou art a good child. Have thy will."

Simonides replaced her arm upon his neck, and there was silence
for a time in the room.

CHAPTER VIII

Simonides looked up, none the less a master.

"Esther," he said, quietly, "the night is going fast; and, lest we
become too weary for that which is before us, let the refreshments
be brought."

She rang a bell. A servant answered with wine and bread, which she
bore round.

"The understanding, good my master," continued Simonides, when all
were served, "is not perfect in my sight. Henceforth our lives will
run on together like rivers which have met and joined their waters.
I think their flowing will be better if every cloud is blown from
the sky above them. You left my door the other day with what
seemed a denial of the claims which I have just allowed in the
broadest terms; but it was not so, indeed it was not. Esther is
witness that I recognized you; and that I did not abandon you,
let Malluch say."

"Malluch!" exclaimed Ben-Hur.

"One bound to a chair, like me, must have many hands far-reaching,
if he would move the world from which he is so cruelly barred.
I have many such, and Malluch is one of the best of them. And,
sometimes"--he cast a grateful glance at the sheik--"sometimes I
borrow from others good of heart, like Ilderim the Generous--good and
brave. Let him say if I either denied or forgot you."

Ben-Hur looked at the Arab.

"This is he, good Ilderim, this is he who told you of me?"

Ilderim's eyes twinkled as he nodded his answer.