She was sure also
that any man for whom she chanced to care, if such an one should ever
cross her path, would, as Caleb had promised, go in danger at his hands,
and the thought frightened her. Most of all did it frighten her when she
saw him glower upon Marcus, although in truth the Roman was nothing to
her. Yet, as she knew, Caleb had judged otherwise.
But if she saw little of him, of this Miriam was sure enough--that he
was seldom far from her, and that he found means to learn from day to
day how she spent her hours. Indeed, Marcus told her that wherever he
went he met that handsome young man with revengeful eyes, who she had
said was named Caleb. Therefore Miriam grew frightened and, as the issue
will show, not without cause.
One afternoon, while Miriam was at work upon the marble, and the three
elders were as usual sunk in slumber, Marcus said suddenly:
"I forgot. I have news for you, lady. I have found out who murdered that
Jewish thief whose end, amongst other things, I was sent to investigate.
It was your friend Caleb."
Miriam started so violently that her chisel gave an unexpected effect to
one of Marcus's curls.
"Hush!" she said, glancing towards the sleepers, one of whom had just
snored so loudly that he began to awake at the sound; then added in a
whisper, "They do not know, do they?"
He shook his head and looked puzzled.
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