sturbs me to hear. But how can this girl be Ithiel's grand-niece? He
had no relations except his sister."

"I do not know," answered Caleb carelessly. "The story is that the lady
Miriam, whom they call the Queen of the Essenes, was brought to them
nineteen or twenty years ago by a Libyan woman named Nehushta,"--here
again Benoni started--"who said that the child's mother, Ithiel's
niece, had been shipwrecked and died after giving birth to the infant,
commanding that it should be brought to him to be reared. The Essenes
consenting, he accepted the charge, and there she is still."

"Then is this lady Miriam an Essene?" asked Benoni in a thick, slow
voice.

"No; she is of the sect of the Christians, in which faith she has been
brought up as her mother desired."

The old man rose from his couch and walked up and down the portico.

"Tell me of the lady Miriam, sir," he said presently, "for the tale
interests me. What is she like?"

"She is, as I believe, the most beautiful maiden in the whole world,
though small and slight; also she is the most sweet and learned."

"That is high praise, sir," said Benoni.

"Yes, master, and perhaps I exaggerate her charms, as is but natural."

"Why is it natural?"

"Because we were brought up together, and I hope that one day she will
be my wife."

"Are you then affianced to this maid?"

"No, not affianced--as yet," replied Caleb, with a little smile; "but I
will not trouble you with a history of my love affairs. I have already
trespassed too long upon your kindness. It is something to ask of you
who may not desire my acquaintance, but if you will do me the honour to
sup with me to-morrow night, your servant will be grateful."

"I thank you, young sir. I will come, I will come, for in truth,"
he added hastily, "I am anxious to hear news of all that passes at
Jerusalem, which, I understand, you left but a few days since, and I
perceive that you are one whose eyes and ears are always open."

"I try both to see and to hear," said Caleb modestly. "But I am very
inexperienced, and am not sure which cause a man who hopes to become
both wise and good, ought to espouse in these troubled days. I need
guidance such as you could give me if you wished. For this while,
farewell."

Benoni watched his visitor depart, then once more began to wander up and
down the portico.

"I do not trust that young man," he thought, "of whose doings I have
heard something; but he is rich and able, and