ood and gentle," answered Miriam; "but of this you
will be able to judge for yourself very shortly, seeing that they live
near at hand. If you will follow us over yonder rise we will show you
their village, whither we go."

"By your leave, I will accompany you," he said, dismounting before she
could answer; then added, "Pardon me for one moment--I must give some
orders," and he called to a soldier, who, with his companions, had
halted at a little distance.

The man advanced saluting, and, turning aside, his captain began to talk
with him, so that now, for the first time, Miriam could study his face.
He was young--not more than five or six and twenty years of age--of
middle height, and somewhat slender, but active in movement and athletic
in build. Upon his head, which was round and not large, in place of the
helmet that hung at his saddle-bow, he wore a little cap, steel lined
and padded as a protection against the sun, and beneath it she could see
that his short, dark brown hair curled closely. Under the tan caused by
exposure to the heat, his skin was fair, and his grey eyes, set rather
wide apart, were quick and observant. For the rest, his mouth was
well-shaped, though somewhat large, and the chin clean-shaved, prominent
and determined. His air was that of a soldier accustomed to command, but
very genial, and, when he smiled, showing his regular white teeth, even
merry--the air of one with a kind and generous heart.

Miriam looked at him, and in an instant was aware that she liked him
better than any man--that is any young man--she had ever seen. This,
however, was no great or exclusive compliment to the Roman, since of
such acquaintances she had but few, if, indeed, Caleb was not the only
one. However, of this she was sure, she liked him better than Caleb,
because, even then and there, comparing them in her thoughts, this
truth came home to her; with it, too, a certain sense of shame that the
newcomer should be preferred to the friend of her childhood, although of
late that friend had displeased her by showing too warm a friendship.

Having given his instructions, the captain dismissed the orderly,
commanding him to follow at a distance with the men. Then saying, "Lady,
I am ready," he began to walk forward, leading his horse by the bridle.

"You will forgive me," he added, "if I introduce myself more formally.
I am called Marcus, the son of Emilius--a name which was known in its
day," and he sighed, "as I hope