done
so already."

For a moment Benoni hid his face in his hands. Then he lifted it and
said:

"I thought as much, and now I am sure. But, my lord Marcus, if my blood
is hers my wealth is my own."

"Just so. Keep it if you will, or leave it where you will. It is Miriam
I seek, and not your money."

"I think that Caleb seeks both Miriam and my money--like a prudent
man. Why should he not have them? He is a Jew of good blood; he will, I
think, rise high."

"And I am a Roman of better blood who will rise higher."

"Yes, a Roman, and I, the grandfather, am a Jew who do not love you
Romans."

"And Miriam is neither Jew nor Roman, but a Christian, brought up not by
you, but by the Essenes; and she loves me, although she will not marry
me because I am not a Christian."

Benoni shrugged his shoulders as he answered:

"All of this is a problem which I must ponder on and solve."

Marcus sprang from his seat and stood before the old man with menace in
his air.

"Look you, Benoni," he said, "this is a problem not to be solved by you
or by Caleb, but by Miriam herself, and none other. Do you understand?"

"I understand that you threaten me."

"Ay, I do. Miriam is of full age; her sojourn with the Essenes must come
to an end. Doubtless you will take her to dwell with you. Well, beware
how you deal by her. If she wishes to marry Caleb of her own free will,
let her do so. But if you force her to it, or suffer him to force her,
then by your God, and by my gods, and by her God, I tell you that I will
come back and take such a vengeance upon him and upon you, and upon all
your people, that it shall be a story for generations. Do you believe
me?"

Benoni looked up at the man who stood before him in his youth and
beauty, his eyes on fire and his form quivering with rage, and looking,
shrank back a little. He did not know that this light-hearted Roman had
such strength and purpose at command. Now he understood for the first
time that he was a true son of the terrible race of conquerors, who, if
he were crossed, could be as merciless as the worst of them, one whose
very honesty and openness made him to be feared the more.

"I understand that you believe what you say. Whether when you are back
at Rome, where there are women as fair as the Queen of the Essenes, you
will continue to believe it, is another matter."

"Yes, a matter for me to settle."

"Quite so--for you to settle. Have you anything to add to the commands
y