"
Then they led him off, and presently Simeon appeared upon the gateway
with Miriam's chain about his middle and Miriam's rope knotted afresh
about his wrists.
"Now for this poor girl," went on Titus Caesar. "It seems that she is
a Nazarene, a sect of which all men speak ill, for they try to subvert
authority and preach doctrines that would bring the world to ruin. Also
she was false to her own people, which is a crime, though one in this
instance whereof we Romans cannot complain. Therefore, if only for the
sake of example it would be wrong to set her free; indeed, to do so,
would be to give her to death. My command is, then, that she shall be
taken good care of, and if she recovers, be sent to Rome to adorn my
Triumph, should the gods grant me such a thing, and afterwards be
sold as a slave for the benefit of the wounded soldiers and the poor.
Meanwhile, who will take charge of her?"
"I," said that officer who had freed Miriam. "There is an old woman who
tends my tent, who can nurse her in her sickness."
"Understand, friend," answered Titus, "that no harm is to be done to
this girl, who is my property."
"I understand, O Caesar," said the officer. "She shall be treated as
though she were my daughter.
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