"So have I. We came here, as I thought, to confer with--with wise men."

"And not with wise women?"

"It may be. I had not learned to look for wisdom where there is
beauty."

"And have I not wisdom? Ah, son of Varro, my mother has taught me many
mysteries. I can read the future and the past."

She leaned close to his ear and whispered, her arm against his: "I
believe in the power of fate. I had much to say and you had not the
will to listen. It has brought you and me together,"

"To enchant me with your beauty?" he inquired.

"Nay," said she, her cheek touching his shoulder. "But to instruct you
with my wisdom. I see much in your face."

"And what see you?"

"Apollo!" she whispered, with a sigh; "and the power to be great."

It flattered him, but he knew the sound of fair words.

"In Rome," said he, laughing, "we belittle with compliments."

"In Jerusalem we fill them with sincerity, and often--"

He listened as the daughter of Herod drew closer.

"They convey our love," she added, in a whisper.

"I learn wonderful things every day. But why think you I am to be
great?"

"I know the mysteries of fate," she answered, quickly, and with a
little resentment of his coldness. "But there is one thing in your
way."

"And what?"

"Your work is to be in Judea, and you love, or think you love, a Roman
maiden."

"I know that I love her," said he, quickly.

"But love is a great deceiver. You shall not take her for your wife."

"Why?" he demanded, turning and looking into the face of Salome.

Her dark eyes were now gazing into his, her hand softly stroking his
bare arm.

"Because," she whispered, and now he could feel the motion of her
shapely red lips upon his ear, "here, in Judea, you shall find one who
loves you with a greater love."

His pulses were quick with passion. He rose, turning from the daughter
of Herod. To his amazement the others had all departed. He and this
living Venus of Judea were alone.

She rose and spoke rapidly, her heart's fire in her words! "Here the
love of women is longer than their lives--greater than their prudence
or their hope of heaven."

She stood erect before him, her beauty striving with the ardor of her
words.

He looked down at her with a kind of fear in his eyes.

She took his hand in hers. "My father is fond of you," she continued.
"Shall I tell your future?"

"And I knew it for a moment hence I should know all," he answered;
covering his ey