tache to relax into a smile.

And so in friendly chat and laughter, they all set out again on the
way, and Peter, quite reconciled to his victor, kept from time to time
digging him in the ribs, and loudly guffawed--

"There's an invalid for you!"

All of them praised Judas, and acknowledged him victor, and all chatted
with him in a friendly manner; but Jesus once again had no word of
praise for Judas. He walked silently in front, nibbling the grasses,
which He plucked. And gradually, one by one, the disciples craved
laughing, and went over to Jesus. So that in a short time it came about,
that they were all walking ahead in a compact body, while Judas--the
victor, the strong man--crept on behind, choking with dust.

And lo! they stood still, and Jesus laid His hand on Peter's shoulder,
while with His other He pointed into the distance, where Jerusalem had
just become visible in the smoke. And the broad, strong back of Peter
gently accepted that slight sunburnt hand.

For the night they stayed in Bethany, at the house of Lazarus. And when
all were gathered together for conversation, Judas thought that they
would now recall his victory over Peter, and sat down nearer. But the
disciples were silent and unusually pensive. Images of the road they
had traversed, of the sun, the rocks and the grass, of Christ lying down
under the shelter, quietly floated through their heads, breathing a
soft pensiveness, begetting confused but sweet reveries of an eternal
movement under the sun. The wearied body reposed sweetly, and thought
was merged in something mystically great and beautiful--and no one
recalled Judas!

Judas went out, and then returned. Jesus was discoursing, and His
disciples were listening to Him in silence.

Mary sat at His feet, motionless as a statue, and gazed into His face
with upturned eyes. John had come quite close, and endeavoured to sit so
that his hand touched the garment of the Master, but without disturbing
Him. He touched Him and was still. Peter breathed loud and deeply,
repeating under his breath the words of Jesus.

Iscariot had stopped short on the threshold, and contemptuously letting
his gaze pass by the company, he concentrated all its fire on Jesus. And
the more he looked the more everything around Him seemed to fade, and to
become clothed with darkness and silence, while Jesus alone shone forth
with uplifted hand. And then, lo! He was, as it were, raised up into
the air, and melted away, as