When last I saw her she was a sooty, withered
little thing whom Gallus yonder carried in his great arms, as a child
might carry a large doll that he had rescued from the fire. Yes, I agree
that she is beautiful and worthy of a very good place in the procession.
Also she should fetch a large price afterwards, for that necklace of
pearls goes with her--make a note of this, Scribe--and the reversion to
considerable property in Tyre and elsewhere. This, by special favour,
she will be allowed to inherit from her grandfather, the old rabbi,
Benoni, one of the Sanhedrim, who perished in the burning of the
Temple."

"How can a slave inherit property, son?" asked Vespasian, raising his
eyebrows.

"I don't know," answered Titus with a laugh. "Perhaps Domitian can tell
you. He says that he has studied law. But so I have decreed."

"A slave," interrupted Domitian wisely, "has no rights and can hold no
property, but the Caesar of the East"--here he sneered--"can declare that
certain lands and goods will pass to the highest bidder with the person
of the slave, and this, Vespasian Caesar, my father, is what I understand
Titus Caesar, my brother, has thought it good to do in the present
instance."

"Yes," said Titus in a quiet voice, though his face flushed, "that,
Domitian, is what I have thought it good to do. In such a matter is not
my will enough?"

"Conqueror of the East," replied Domitian, "Thrower-down of the mountain
stronghold called Jerusalem, to which the topless towers of Ilium were
as nothing, and Exterminator of a large number of misguided fanatics,
in what matter is not your will enough? Yet a boon, O Caesar. As you are
great, be generous," and with a mocking gesture he bowed the knee to
Titus.

"What boon do you seek of me, brother, who know that all I have is, or,"
he added slowly, "will be--yours?"

"One that is already granted by your precious words, Titus. Of all you
have, which is much, I seek only this Pearl-Maiden, who has taken my
fancy. The girl only, not her property in Tyre, wherever that may be,
which you can keep for yourself."

Vespasian looked up, but before he could speak, Titus answered quickly:

"I said, Domitian, 'all I have.' This maid I have not, therefore the
words do not apply. I have decreed that the proceeds of the sale of
these captives is to be divided equally between the wounded soldiers and
the poor of Rome. Therefore she is their property, not mine. I will not
rob them."

"Vi