of his carriage had not yet turned from the door when Zador
Ben Amon was welcomed by Lazarus and bidden through the open door,
inside which stood Mary and Martha and Joel. His greeting to Martha
was brief. Toward Mary he advanced with smiling face, as if to embrace
her. "Nay?" he questioned as she drew back. "Didst not thy brother
tell thee I have decided to make thee my betrothed?"

"The words my brother spake I did not so understand," she replied,
stepping yet farther back from him.

"Then hath the pleasure been left for Zador, son of Amon, to tell Mary
of the House of Dates that he hath come to make her his betrothed and
hath brought her a fit gift."

"But I know thee not save as a friend of my brother Lazarus, nor dost
thou know me."

"And what needst thou to know save that I am among Israel's rich and
mighty and would take thee to wife? And what need I to know of thee
more than that thou art fair and a woman? Doth the hungry beast not
know its heart's desire? To thy brother have I spoken."

"And hath Lazarus given you knowledge that my heart is in his keeping?"
Mary asked.

"Hearts!" Zador exclaimed, laughing like one well fed. "Lazarus, thy
fair sister doth take hearts into account rather than shekels and
talents of gold."

"Perhaps there is wisdom in the words she speaketh when she saith you
know her not," and Lazarus smiled. "Seat thyself and make ready for a
better acquaintance."

"Thou speakest," Zador answered heartily, glancing toward the
window-seat. "But before thou layest my cloak aside would I show it to
the maidens. At a great price I secured this," and he held it toward
Martha and Mary.

"Its colors are most beautiful," Mary said.

Martha had slipped her hand inside the folds and was closely examining
the needlework.

"From hem to hem the pomegranates reach," Zador explained, noticing
Martha's interest. "Doth not the needlework far exceed that of
Israel's workers in fine thread?"

"The workmanship is wonderful. Yet here are loose stitches at the top
of the border."

Zador caught up the cloak hem and examined it with careful eye as he
said, "Thou knowest. On the morrow will it be mended. But now, since
Zador hath come to know that Mary and Martha delight in rich apparel,
let him tell them of garments that dazzle the eye for glory and riches."

"Robes of Rome?" Martha asked with keen interest

"Yea, as I saw them in banquet hall and amphitheatre."

When the guest's c