Hanging lamps of bronze
burned in the room, and by their light Miriam saw that it was very clean
and well, though not richly, furnished.
"This is my own house, daughter," she explained, "which my father left
me, where I have dwelt during all these weary years that my husband has
been absent in the wars of the East. It is a humble place, but you will
find peace and safety in it, and, I trust, comfort. Poor child," she
added in a gentle voice, "I who am also a Christian, though as yet of
this my husband knows nothing, welcome you in the Name of the Lord."
"In the Name of our Lord, I thank you," answered Miriam, "who am but a
friendless slave."
"Such find friends," said Julia, "and if you will suffer it I think that
I shall be one of them." Then at a sign from the elder woman they knelt
down, and in silence each of them put up her prayer of thanksgiving, the
wife because her husband had come back to her safe, the maiden because
she had been led to a house ruled by a woman of her own faith.
After this they ate, a plain meal but well cooked and served. When it
was done Julia conducted Miriam to the little whitewashed chamber which
had been prepared for her. It was lighted from the court by a lattice
set high in the wall, and, like all the house, very clean and sweet,
with a floor of white marble.
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