Perhaps this was
because the seethe of its waves was the first sound that her ears had
heard, while her first breath was salted with its spray.
From Jerusalem, Benoni had sent messengers mounted on swift horses
bidding his servants make ready to receive a guest. So it came about
that when she entered his palace in Tyre, Miriam found it decked as
though for a bride, and wandered in amazement--she who had known nothing
better than the mud-houses of the Essenes--from hall to hall of the
ancient building that in bygone generations had been the home of kings
and governors. Benoni followed her steps, watching her with grave eyes,
till at length all was visited save the gardens belonging to him which
were on the mainland.
"Are you pleased with your new home, daughter?" he asked presently.
"My grandfather, it is beautiful," she answered. "Never have I dreamed
of such a place as this. Say, may I work my art in one of these great
rooms?"
"Miriam," he answered, "of this house henceforth you are the mistress,
as in time to come you will be its owner. Believe me, child, it was
not needed that so many and such different men should demand from me
sureties for your comfort and your safety. All I have is yours, whilst
all you have, including your faith and your friends, of whom there seem
to be many, remains your own.
Pages:
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197