Well, I do not pretend to be a judge of beauty, still I say that this
Jewish captive does not belie her name. Titus, do you recognise her?"
"In truth, no, father. When last I saw her she was a sooty, withered
little thing whom Gallus yonder carried in his great arms, as a child
might carry a large doll that he had rescued from the fire. Yes, I agree
that she is beautiful and worthy of a very good place in the procession.
Also she should fetch a large price afterwards, for that necklace of
pearls goes with her--make a note of this, Scribe--and the reversion to
considerable property in Tyre and elsewhere. This, by special favour,
she will be allowed to inherit from her grandfather, the old rabbi,
Benoni, one of the Sanhedrim, who perished in the burning of the
Temple."
"How can a slave inherit property, son?" asked Vespasian, raising his
eyebrows.
"I don't know," answered Titus with a laugh. "Perhaps Domitian can tell
you. He says that he has studied law. But so I have decreed."
"A slave," interrupted Domitian wisely, "has no rights and can hold no
property, but the Caesar of the East"--here he sneered--"can declare that
certain lands and goods will pass to the highest bidder with the person
of the slave, and this, Vespasian Caesar, my father, is what I understand
Titus Caesar, my brother, has thought it good to do in the present
instance.
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