re is other freedom. Thou dost own the
hands, the toil, the obedience of this body that Rome hath mutilated
and burned. But there is a man in me that the hand of Rome toucheth
not. As this man thinketh in his heart, so is he. If in my heart I am
a slave, then am I a slave though my body be free. But if in my heart
I am free, then I am free though an implement of Rome. Aye, most noble
mistress, the Jew hath given me freedom."

"Freedom! How the heart doth hunger for freedom--freedom from one's
self." And she crossed the room and recrossing stopped again before
the slave. "My scarred eunuch," she said.

"I listen, my mistress."

"It is not beneath the dignity of Claudia Procula to glean gems when
she findeth them shining in her path. Out of thy mouth have come words
of wisdom which bear not scars as doth thy body. Such have been
treasured. Ah, as the tide is greater than the storm, as the sun is
greater than the wind, as the mind of man is greater than the sword, so
shall there come a Kingdom before which that of Caesar's sword shall
perish forever. What sayest thou? Is the Kingdom the Jew doth teach
of, this Kingdom?"

"So it hath been revealed to the heart of thy slave."

"A year hath passed since last thou wert in Jerusalem. In the arena at
Rome hath been the clash of steel, and fangs, and the wild and
soul-piercing music of screams and dying curses. Beyond Rome hath Rome
held the nations of the earth under the sword-blade that her lords be
drunk and her rich fed on the life-blood of the poor. Again we are at
Jerusalem to the Passover Feast of the Jews. And again in their Temple
find we one who teacheth against all this. My scarred eunuch, lovest
thou this Jew?"

"Aye, most gracious mistress, even to the laying down of my life."

"He hath disciples."

"Yea--blessed be they."

"Wouldst thou be his disciple?"

"Such I am."

"Yea, in thy heart. But wouldst thou be free to go abroad and of thy
wisdom teach the wisdom of the Jew; spread news of that greater Kingdom
which cometh not of the sword and wherein all men shall be free?"

"Most noble mistress, tempt me not to hate my bondage more by bringing
to my ears such words."

"To-night are the Jews celebrating the birthday of their nation with a
great feast. To-night shalt thou also have a birthday for hereby give
I thee thy freedom. When the sun doth rise on the morrow, go thou and
sit at the feet of the Jew and hearing glad tidings, b