To this they agreed, and presently the Jew came, splendidly attired, his
long white beard flowing down a robe that glittered with embroideries of
gold and silver. Entering the dim, cool hall, he stared in amazement at
the long half-circles of venerable, white-robed men who were gathered
there. Next his quick eyes fell upon the lovely maiden who, attended
by the dark-visaged Nehushta, sat before them on a seat of honour; and
looking, he guessed that she must be Miriam.
"Little wonder," reflected Benoni to himself, "that all men seem to love
this girl, since at the first sight of her my own heart softens."
Then he bowed to the President of the Court and the President bowed
back in answer. But not one of the rest so much as moved his head, since
already every man of them hated this stranger who was about to carry
away her whom they called their Queen.
"Sirs," said Benoni breaking the silence, "I come here upon a
strange errand--namely, to ask of you a maid whom I believe to be my
granddaughter, of whose existence I learned not long ago, and whom, as
it seems, you have sheltered from her birth. Is she among you here?" and
he looked at Miriam.
"The lady Miriam sits yonder," said the President. "You are right in
naming her your granddaughter, as we have known her to be from the
beginning.
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