-Hur took the supplement, and read it.

"Statement of the servants of Hur, rendered by Simonides, steward of
the estate.

1. Amrah, Egyptian, keeping the palace in Jerusalem.
2. Simonides, the steward, in Antioch.
3. Esther, daughter of Simonides."

Now, in all his thoughts of Simonides, not once had it entered
Ben-Hur's mind that, by the law, a daughter followed the parent's
condition. In all his visions of her, the sweet-faced Esther had
figured as the rival of the Egyptian, and an object of possible
love. He shrank from the revelation so suddenly brought him,
and looked at her blushing; and, blushing, she dropped her eyes
before him. Then he said, while the papyrus rolled itself together,

"A man with six hundred talents is indeed rich, and may do what
he pleases; but, rarer than the money, more priceless than
the property, is the mind which amassed the wealth, and the
heart it could not corrupt when amassed. O Simonides--and thou,
fair Esther--fear not. Sheik Ilderim here shall be witness that
in the same moment ye were declared my servants, that moment I
declared ye free; and what I declare, that will I put in writing.
Is it not enough? Can I do more?"

"Son of Hur," said Simonides, "verily thou dost make servitude
lightsome. I was wrong; there are some things thou canst not do;
thou canst not make us free in law. I am thy servant forever,
because I went to the door with thy father one day, and in my
ear the awl-marks yet abide."

"Did my father that?"

"Judge him not," cried Simonides, quickly. "He accepted me a
servant of that class because I prayed him to do so. I never
repented the step. It was the price I paid for Rachel, the mother
of my child here; for Rachel, who would not be my wife unless I
became what she was."

"Was she a servant forever?"

"Even so."

Ben-Hur walked the floor in pain of impotent wish.

"I was rich before," he said, stopping suddenly. "I was rich with
the gifts of the generous Arrius; now comes this greater fortune,
and the mind which achieved it. Is there not a purpose of God in
it all? Counsel me, O Simonides! Help me to see the right and
do it. Help me to be worthy my name, and what thou art in law
to me, that will I be to thee in fact and deed. I will be thy
servant forever."

Simonides' face actually glowed.

"O son of my dead master! I will do better than help; I will
serve thee with all my might of mind and heart. Body, I have
not; it perished in thy