lady to a cruel death because she saved,
or tried to save, a Roman soldier, and it is but just that you should
drink of your own wine. Take him and fasten him to the column on the
gateway and leave him there to perish. Your Holy House is destroyed,
Simeon, and being a faithful priest, you would not wish to survive your
worship."

"There you are right, Roman," he answered, "though I should have been
better pleased with a quicker end, such as I trust may overtake you."

Then they led him off, and presently Simeon appeared upon the gateway
with Miriam's chain about his middle and Miriam's rope knotted afresh
about his wrists.

"Now for this poor girl," went on Titus Caesar. "It seems that she is
a Nazarene, a sect of which all men speak ill, for they try to subvert
authority and preach doctrines that would bring the world to ruin. Also
she was false to her own people, which is a crime, though one in this
instance whereof we Romans cannot complain. Therefore, if only for the
sake of example it would be wrong to set her free; indeed, to do so,
would be to give her to death. My command is, then, that she shall be
taken good care of, and if she recovers, be sent to Rome to adorn my
Triumph, should the gods grant me such a thing, and afterwards be
sold as a slave for the benefit of the wounded soldiers and the poor.
Meanwhile, who will take charge of her?"

"I," said that officer who had freed Miriam. "There is an old woman who
tends my tent, who can nurse her in her sickness."

"Understand, friend," answered Titus, "that no harm is to be done to
this girl, who is my property."

"I understand, O Caesar," said the officer. "She shall be treated as
though she were my daughter."

"Good. You who are present, remember his words and my decree. In Rome,
if we live to reach it, you shall give account to me of the captive
lady, Miriam. Now take her away, for there are greater matters to be
dealt with than the fortunes of this girl."

CHAPTER XIX

PEARL-MAIDEN

Many days had gone by, but still the fighting was not ended, for the
Jews continued to hold the Upper City. As it chanced, however, in one of
the assaults upon it that officer who had rescued Miriam was badly hurt
by a spear-thrust in the leg, so that he could be of no more service
in this war. Therefore, because he was a man whom Titus trusted, he was
ordered to sail with others of the sick for Rome, taking in his charge
much of the treasure that had been capture