this Jew. It hath been revealed to me
there is no wisdom in it."

"He will press the matter with thee. He is a guest under my roof and a
Sadducee of power. Choose well thy way."

"I have already made choice. To the home of Anna do I go for the
night. She hath called me, for her father is in Jerusalem."

"Is this wisdom?" asked Lazarus thoughtfully.

"It is a favor to Anna, and Zador Ben Amon will not miss a foolish
lover of songs when he doth lay hold of Martha's choice meat."

Together Mary and Lazarus walked toward the house. When they reached
the big stone bench, Zador stood waiting. Lazarus passed on, and
because he insisted, Mary sat beside the Temple money-maker. He put
the cloak carefully over the back of the seat and from its folds drew
the anklet. Uncovering it, he thrust it suddenly before her, watching
eagerly for her first impression.

"What thinkest thou? Is this not a fit betrothal gift for a Roman
noblewoman?"

"It is most beautiful," she answered quietly.

"It is thine, my Israelitish princess--my Mary!" he exclaimed with all
the interest she had not shown. "Draw up thy skirt for with my own
hand would I fit it to thy white and shapely ankle," and his narrow
black eyes shone with the anticipated pleasure.

Mary drew away saying, "Nay, nay. I wear no anklets."

"See," and he held it toward her. "Its jewels will tinkle on thy skirt
like the silver bells on the High Priest's robe. What soundeth more
pleasant to the ears of a woman?"

"But I care not for wagging nose rings and tinkling anklets," she
replied.

"And thou wouldst have another gift than this?" Zador asked, his
disappointment apparent.

"Nay. No gift would I have. When there is no betrothal what need of a
gift?"

Zador Ben Amon turned his eyes on Mary. "No betrothal!" he exclaimed.
"No betrothal! Thou dost jest. Where is the woman who would do less
than be betrothed to Zador Ben Amon? Take thou the gift. As the price
of thy heart was it fashioned and I make my oath that no other woman
shall possess it. Here," and he held it toward her. She made no move.
He placed it carefully on the wide stone arm of the bench. "There is
thy gift and palsied be my arm if my hand toucheth it again. It is
thine." And Zador waited for Mary to speak. "Thou dost disturb me
much!" And his voice suggested anger when she made no move to take the
gift, and arising he went to the pool beside which he stood with bowed
head.