ut that when Marcus presented himself for the second
time, at an hour fixed by Ithiel, he found three white-bearded and
white-robed old gentlemen seated in a row in the workshop, and behind
them, a smile on her dusky face, Nehushta. As he entered they rose and
bowed to him, a compliment which he returned. Now Miriam appeared, to
whom he made his salutation.

"Are these," he said, indicating the elders, "waiting their turn to be
modelled, or are they critics?"

"They are critics," said Miriam drily, as she lifted the damp cloths
from the rude lump of clay.

Then the work began. As the three curators were seated in a line at
the end of the shed, and did not seem to think it right to leave their
chairs, they could see little of its details, and as they were early
risers and the afternoon was hot, soon they were asleep, every one of
them.

"Look at them," said Marcus; "there is a subject for any artist."

Miriam nodded, and taking three lumps of clay, working deftly and
silently, presently produced to his delighted sight rough but excellent
portraits of these admirable men, who, when they woke up, laughed at
them very heartily.

Thus things went on from day to day. Each afternoon the elders attended,
and each afternoon they sank to slumber in their comfortable chairs, an
example that Nehushta followed, or seemed to follow, leaving Miriam and
her model practically alone. As may be guessed, the model, who liked
conversation, did not neglect these opportunities. Few were the subjects
which the two of them failed to discuss. He told her of all his life,
which had been varied and exciting, omitting, it is true, certain
details; also of the wars in which he had served, and the countries that
he had visited. She in turn told him the simple story of her existence
among the Essenes, which he seemed to find of interest. When these
subjects were exhausted they discussed other things--the matter of
religion, for instance. Indeed, Miriam ventured to expound to him the
principles of her faith, to which he listened respectfully and with
attention.

"It sounds well," he said at length with a sigh, "but how do such maxims
fit in with this world of ours? See now, lady, I am not old, but already
I have studied so many religions. First, there are the gods of Greece
and Rome, my own gods, you understand--well, the less said of them the
better. They serve, that is all. Then there are the gods of Egypt, as
to which I made inquiry, and of