Then turning to
Vergilius: "Did Manius tell you that I bade him bring you here?"
"I knew not I was so honored."
"He is jealous. He will not permit me to embrace my little page. I
have wished to meet you, noble tribune, ever since I saw you in my
father's palace."
Her eyes were playful, as if they would try the heart of her lover.
"And when I saw you," said Vergilius, "I--I knew you were the betrothed
of the assessor."
"And why?" she besought, with a smile.
"Because I heard him say in Rome that, of all the daughters of Judea,
you were most beautiful."
Her eyes looked full upon his and he saw in them a glint of that fire
which had begun to burn within her. He said to himself, as he came
away, "Here is another Cleopatra--a woman made to pull down the mighty."
Next day from the daughter of Herod came a letter to the young tribune:
"NOBLE SON OF VARRO,--I have much to say concerning your welfare, and I
doubt not you will desire to hear it. If I judge you rightly, come to
the palace of my mother the second evening before the nones.
Pages:
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137