ou are pleased to lay upon your humble creditor, Benoni the merchant?"

"Yes, two things. First, that when I leave this house you will no longer
be my creditor. I have brought money to pay you off in full, principal
and interest. My talk of borrowing was but a play and excuse to learn
what you knew of Miriam. Nay, do not start, though it may seem strange
to you that I also can be subtle. Foolish man, did you think that I with
my prospects should be left to lack for a miserable half-talent? Why,
there at Jerusalem I could have borrowed ten, or twenty, if I would
promise my patronage by way of interest. My servants wait with the
gold without. Call them in presently and pay yourself, principal and
interest, and something for a bonus. Now for the second, Miriam is a
Christian. Beware how you tamper with her faith. It is not mine, but I
say--beware how you tamper with it. You gave her father and her mother,
your own daughter, to be slaughtered by gladiators and to be torn by
lions because, forsooth, they did not think as you do. Lift one finger
against her and I will hale you into the amphitheatre at Rome, there
yourself to be slaughtered by gladiators, or to be torn by lions.
Although I am absent I shall know all that you do, for I have friends
who are good and spies that are better. Moreover, I return here shortly.
Now I ask you, will you give me your solemn word, swearing it by that
God whom you worship, first, that you will not attempt to force your
granddaughter Miriam into marriage with Caleb the Jew; and secondly,
that you will shelter her, treating her with all honour, and suffering
her to follow her own faith in freedom?"

Benoni sprang from his couch.

"No, Roman, I will not. Who are you who dare to dictate to me in my own
house as to how I shall deal with my own grandchild? Pay what you owe
and get you gone, and darken my doors no more. I have done with you."

"Ah!" said Marcus. "Well, perhaps it is time that you should
travel. Those who travel and see strange countries and peoples, grow
liberal-minded, which you are not. Be pleased to read this paper," and
he laid a writing before him.

Benoni took it and read. It was worded thus:

"To Marcus, the son of Emilius, the captain, in the name of Caesar,
greetings. Hereby we command you, should you in your discretion think
fit, to seize the person of Benoni, the Jewish merchant, a dweller in
Tyre, and to convey him as a prisoner to Rome, there to answer charges
w