that nothing shall pass without thy knowledge. He will
help thee in many ways. Until the ripening time no one shall know
what is here contracted. Mine is but a servant's part. I have spoken
to Ilderim. What sayest thou?"

Ben-Hur looked at the sheik.

"It is as he says, son of Hur," the Arab responded. "I have given
my word, and he is content with it; but thou shalt have my oath,
binding me, and the ready hands of my tribe, and whatever serviceable
thing I have."

The three--Simonides, Ilderim, Esther--gazed at Ben-Hur fixedly.

"Every man," he answered, at first sadly, "has a cup of pleasure
poured for him, and soon or late it comes to his hand, and he
tastes and drinks--every man but me. I see, Simonides, and thou,
O generous sheik!--I see whither the proposal tends. If I accept,
and enter upon the course, farewell peace, and the hopes which
cluster around it. The doors I might enter and the gates of quiet
life will shut behind me, never to open again, for Rome keeps them
all; and her outlawry will follow me, and her hunters; and in the
tombs near cities and the dismal caverns of remotest hills, I must
eat my crust and take my rest."

The speech was broken by a sob. All turned to Esther, who hid her
face upon her father's shoulder.

"I did not think of you, Esther," said Simonides, gently, for he
was himself deeply moved.

"It is well enough, Simonides," said Ben-Hur. "A man bears a
hard doom better, knowing there is pity for him. Let me go on."

They gave him ear again.

"I was about to say," he continued, "I have no choice, but take
the part you assign me; and as remaining here is to meet an
ignoble death, I will to the work at once."

"Shall we have writings?" asked Simonides, moved by his habit of
business.

"I rest upon your word," said Ben-Hur.

"And I," Ilderim answered.

Thus simply was effected the treaty which was to alter Ben-Hur's
life. And almost immediately the latter added,

"It is done, then."

"May the God of Abraham help us!" Simonides exclaimed.

"One word now, my friends," Ben-Hur said, more cheerfully.
"By your leave, I will be my own until after the games. It is not
probable Messala will set peril on foot for me until he has given
the procurator time to answer him; and that cannot be in less than
seven days from the despatch of his letter. The meeting him in the
Circus is a pleasure I would buy at whatever risk."

Ilderim, well pleased, assented readily, and Simonides, int