Of course, Miriam
is quite right not to marry me if she has scruples, and, of course, I
should be quite wrong to take advantage of the accident of my being able
to purchase her in the slave-ring. I think that is all I have to say.
Miriam, I free you, as indeed I remember I promised the Essenes that I
would do. Since no one knows you belong to me, I suppose that no formal
ceremony will be necessary. It is a manumission 'inter amicos,' as the
lawyers say, but quite valid. As to the title to the Tyre property,
I accept it in payment of the debt, but I beg that you will keep it
a while on my behalf, for, at present, there might be trouble about
transferring it into my name. Now, good-night. Nehushta will take you to
her room, Miriam, and to-morrow you can depart whither you will. I wish
you all fortune, and--why do you not thank me? Under the circumstances,
it would be kind."
But Miriam only burst into a flood of tears.
"What will you do, Marcus? Oh! what will you do?" she sobbed.
"In all probability, things which I would rather you did not know of,"
he answered bitterly, "or I may take it into my head to accept the
suggestion of our friend, Nehushta, and begin to search those Scriptures
of which I have heard so much; that seem, by the way, specially designed
to prevent the happiness of men and women.
Pages:
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474