"Look! Nou, look!" said Miriam, showing her the beauteous trinkets.
"A sight to make old eyes glisten," answered Nehushta handling them. "I
know something of pearls, and these are worth a fortune. Happy maid, to
whom is given such a lover."
"Unhappy maid who can never be a happy wife," sighed Miriam, her blue
eyes filling with tears.
"Grieve not; that still may chance," answered Nehushta, as she fastened
the pearls about Miriam's neck. "At least you have heard from him and
he still loves you, which is much. Now for the ring--the marriage
finger--see, how it fits."
"Nay, I have no right," murmured Miriam; still she did not draw it off
again.
"Come, let us be going," said Nehushta, hiding the casket in her amble
robe, "for the sun sinks, and to-night there are guests to supper."
"What guests?" asked Miriam absently.
"Plotters, every one," said Nehushta, shrugging her shoulders. "The
great scheme to drive the Romans from the Holy City ripens fast, and
your grandsire waters its root. I pray that we may not all of us gather
bitter grapes from that vine. Have you heard that Caleb is back in
Tyre?"
"Caleb!" faltered Miriam, "No."
"Well, he is. He arrived yesterday and will be among the guests
to-night.
Pages:
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211