Tarry not, Rabbi Benoni, for they seek
you."
"Alas! I must begone," he said, "for some new horror is fallen upon us,
and they summon me to the council. Farewell, most beloved Miriam, may
my God and your God protect you, for I cannot. Farewell, and if, by any
chance, you live, forgive me, and try to forget the evil that, in my
blindness and my pride, I have brought upon yours and you, but oh! most
of all upon myself."
Then he embraced her passionately and was gone, leaving Miriam weeping.
CHAPTER XVII
THE GATE OF NICANOR
Another two hours went by, and the lengthening shadows cast through the
stonework of the lattice told Miriam that the day was drawing to its
end. Suddenly the bolts were shot and the door opened.
"The time is at hand," she said to herself, and at the thought her heart
beat fast and her knees trembled, while a mist came before her eyes, so
that she could not see. When it passed she looked up, and there before
her, very handsome and stately, though worn with war and hunger, stood
Caleb, sword in hand and clad in a breast plate dinted with many blows.
At the sight, Miriam's courage came back to her; at least before him she
would show no fear.
"Are you sent to carry out my sentence?" she asked.
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