ther. This she undid
and uttered a little cry of joy, for there lay a necklace of the most
lovely pearls that she had ever seen. Nor was this all, for threaded
on the pearls was a ring, and cut upon its emerald bezel the head of
Marcus, and her own head taken from the likeness she had given him.
"Look! Nou, look!" said Miriam, showing her the beauteous trinkets.
"A sight to make old eyes glisten," answered Nehushta handling them. "I
know something of pearls, and these are worth a fortune. Happy maid, to
whom is given such a lover."
"Unhappy maid who can never be a happy wife," sighed Miriam, her blue
eyes filling with tears.
"Grieve not; that still may chance," answered Nehushta, as she fastened
the pearls about Miriam's neck. "At least you have heard from him and
he still loves you, which is much. Now for the ring--the marriage
finger--see, how it fits."
"Nay, I have no right," murmured Miriam; still she did not draw it off
again.
"Come, let us be going," said Nehushta, hiding the casket in her amble
robe, "for the sun sinks, and to-night there are guests to supper."
"What guests?" asked Miriam absently.
"Plotters, every one," said Nehushta, shrugging her shoulders. "The
great scheme to drive the Romans from the Holy City ripens fast, and
your grandsire waters its root. I pray that we may not all of us gather
bitter grapes from that vine. Have you heard that Caleb is back in
Tyre?"
"Caleb!" faltered Miriam, "No."
"Well, he is. He arrived yesterday and will be among the guests
to-night. He has been fighting up in the desert there, and bravely, for
I am told that he was one of those who seized the fortress of Masada and
put its Roman garrison to the sword."
"Then he is against the Romans?"
"Yes, because he hopes to rule the Jews, and risks much to gain more."
"I do not wish to meet him," said Miriam.
"Nay, but you must, and the sooner the better. Why do you fear the man?"
"I know not, but fear him I do, now and always."
When Miriam entered the supper chamber that night, the guests to the
number of twelve were already seated on their couches, waiting for the
feast to begin. By her grandfather's command she was arrayed in her
richest robes fashioned and broidered after the Grecian fashion, having
her hair gathered into coils upon her head and held with a golden net.
Round her waist was a girdle of gold set with gems, about her throat the
necklace of pearls which Marcus had sent her,
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