So for hard upon six months, till midsummer, indeed, Miriam dwelt in thehouse of Gallus and his wife, Julia. She was not happy, although to themshe became as a daughter. Who could be happy even in the sunshine ofa peaceful present, that walked her world between two such banks ofshadow? Behind was the shadow of the terrible past; in front, blackand forbidding, rose the shadow of the future, which might be yet moreterrible, the future when she would be the slave of some man unknown.Sometimes walking with Julia, humbly dressed and mingling with thecrowd, her head-dress arranged to hide her face as much as might be, shesaw the rich lords of Rome go by in chariots, on horseback, in litters,all sorts and conditions of them, fat, proud men with bold eyes;hard-faced statesmen or lawyers; war-worn, cruel-looking captains;dissolute youths with foppish dress and perfumed hair, and shuddering,wondered whether she was appointed to any one of these. Or was it,perhaps, to that rich and greasy tradesman, or to yon low-born freedmanwith a cunning leer? She knew not, God alone knew, and in Him must beher trust.
Once as Miriam was walking thus, gorgeously clad slaves armed with rodsof office appeared, bursting a way through the crowded streets to anaccompaniment of oaths and blows. After these came lictors bearingthe fasces on their shoulders; then a splendid chariot drawn by whitehorses, and driven by a curled and scented charioteer. In it, that hemight be the better seen, stood a young man, tall, ruddy-faced, and cladin royal attire, who looked downward as though from bashfulness, butall the while scanned the crowd out of the corners of his dim blue eyesshaded by lids devoid of lashes. For a moment Miriam felt those eyesrest upon her, and knew that she was the subject of some jest whichtheir owner addressed to the exquisite charioteer, causing him to laugh.Then a horror of that man took hold of her, and when he had gone by,bowing in answer to the shouts of the people, who, as it seemed to her,cheered from fear and not with joy, she asked Julia who he might be.
"Who but Domitian," she answered, "the son of one Caesar and the brotherof another, who hates both and would like to wear their crown. He isan evil man, and if he should chance to cross your path, beware of him,Miriam."
Miriam shuddered and said:
"As well, mother, might you bid the mouse that is caught abroad tobeware of the cat it meets at night."
"Some mice find holes that cats cannot pass," answered Julia withmeaning as they turned their faces homeward.
During all this time, although Gallus made diligent inquiry among thesoldiers who arrived from Judaea, Miriam could hear nothing of Marcus, sothat at last she came to believe that he must be dead, and with him thebeloved and faithful Nehushta, and to hope that if this were so shealso might be taken. Still amongst all this trouble she had one greatcomfort. Under the mild rule of Vespasian, although their meeting-placeswere known, the Christians had peace for a while. Therefore, in companywith Julia and many others of the brotherhood, she was able to visit thecatacombs on the Appian Way by night, and there in those dismal, endlesstombs to offer prayer and receive the ministrations of the Church. Thegreat Apostles, St. Peter and St. Paul, had suffered martyrdom, indeed,but they had left many teachers behind them, and the chief of these soongrew to know and love the poor Jewish captive who was doomed to slavery.Therefore here also she found friends and consolation of spirit.
In time Gallus came to learn that his wife was also of the Faith, andfor a while this knowledge seemed to cast him down. In the end, however,he shrugged his shoulders and said that she was certainly of an age tojudge for herself and that he trusted no harm might come of it. Indeed,when the principles of the Christian hope were explained to him, helistened to them eagerly enough, who had lost his only child, and untilnow had never heard this strange story of resurrection and eternal life.Still, although he listened, and even from time to time was present whenthe brethren prayed, he would not be baptised, who said that he was toosunk in years to throw incense on a new altar.
At length Titus came, the Senate, which long before his arrival haddecreed him a Triumph, meeting him outside the walls, and there, aftersome ancient formalities communicating to him their decision. Moreover,it was arranged that Vespasian, his father, should share in thisTriumph, because of the great deeds which he had done in Egypt, so thatit was said everywhere that this would be the most splendid ceremonywhich Rome had ever seen. After this Titus passed to his palace andthere lived privately for several weeks, resting while the preparationsfor the great event went forward.
One morning early Gallus was summoned to the palace, whence he returnedrubbing his hands and trying to look pleased, with him, as Julia hadsaid, a sure sign of evil tidings.
"What is it, husband?" she asked.
"Oh! nothing, nothing," he answered, "except that our Pearl-Maiden heremust accompany me after the mid-day meal into the august presences ofVespasian and Titus. The Caesars wish to see her, that they may decidewhere she is to walk in the procession. If she is held to be beautifulenough, they will grant to her a place of honour, by herself. Do youhear that, wife--by herself, not far in front of the very chariot ofTitus? As for the dress that she will wear," he went on nervously, sinceneither of his auditors seemed delighted with this news, "it is to besplendid, quite splendid, all of the purest white silk with little discsof silver sewn about it, and a representation of the Gate Nicanor workedin gold thread upon the breast of the robe."
At this tidings Miriam broke down and began to weep.
"Dry your tears, girl," he said roughly, although the thickness of hisvoice suggested that water and his own eyes were not far apart. "Whatmust be, must be, and now is the time for that God you worship to showyou some mark of favour. Surely, He should do so, seeing how long andhow often you pray to Him in burrows that a jackal would turn from."
"I think He will," answered Miriam, ceasing her sobs with a boldup-lifting of her soul towards the light of perfect faith.
"I am sure He will," added Julia, gently stroking Miriam's dark andcurling hair.
"Then," broke in Gallus, driving the point to its logical conclusion,"what have you to fear? A long, hot walk through the shouting populace,who will do no harm to one so lovely, and after that, whatever good fateyour God may choose for you. Come, let us eat, that you may look yourbest when you appear before the Caesars."
"I would rather look my worst," said Miriam, bethinking her of Domitianand his bleared eyes. Still, to please Gallus, she tried to eat, andafterwards, accompanied by him and by Julia, was carried in a closedlitter to the palace.
Too soon she was there, arriving a little before them, and was helpedfrom the litter by slaves wearing the Imperial livery. Now she foundherself alone in a great marble court filled with officers and noblesawaiting audience.
"That is the Pearl-Maiden," said one of them, whereon they all crowdedaround her, criticising her aloud in their idle curiosity.
"Too short," said one. "Too thin," said another. "Too small in the footfor her ankle," said a third. "Fools," broke in a fourth, a young manwith a fine figure and dark rings round his eyes, "what is the useof trying to cheapen this piece of goods thus in the eyes of theexperienced? I say that this Pearl-Maiden is as perfect as those pearlsabout her own neck; on a small scale, perhaps, but quite perfect, andyou will admit that I ought to know."
"Lucius says that she is perfect," remarked one of them in a tone ofacquiescence, as though that verdict settled the matter.
"Yes," went on the critical Lucius, "now, to take one thing only, apoint so often overlooked. Observe how fresh and firm her flesh is. WhenI press it thus," and he suited the action to the word, "as I thought,my finger leaves scarcely any mark."
"But my arm does," said a gruff voice beside him, and next moment thisscented judge of human beings received the point of the elbow of Gallusbetween the eyes just where the nose is set into the forehead. With suchforce and skill was the blow directed that next instant the critic wassprawling on his back upon the pavement, the blood gushing from hisnostrils. Now most of them laughed, but some murmured, while Gallussaid:
"Way there, friends, way t
here! I am charged to deliver this lady to theCaesars and to certify that while she was in my care no man has somuch as laid a finger on her. Way there, I pray you! And as for thatwhimpering puppy on his back, if he wishes it, he knows where tofind Gallus. My sword will mark him worse than my elbow, if he wantsblood-letting, that I swear."
Now with jests and excuses they fell back one and all. There were fewof them who did not know that, lame as he might be now, old Gallus wasstill the fiercest and most dreaded swordsman of his legion. Indeed hewas commonly reported to have slain eighteen men in single combat, andwhen young even to have faced the most celebrated gladiator of the dayfor sport, or to win a private bet, and given him life as he lay at hismercy.
So they passed on through long halls guarded by soldiers, till at lengththey came to a wide passage closed with splendid curtains, where theofficer on duty asked them their business. Gallus told him and hevanished through the curtains, whence he returned presently, beckoningthem to advance. They followed him down a corridor set with busts ofdeparted emperors and empresses, to find themselves in a round marblechamber, very cool and lighted from above. In this chamber sat andstood three men: Vespasian, whom they knew by his strong, quiet face andgrizzled hair; Titus, his son, "the darling of mankind," thin, active,and aesthetic-looking, with eyes that were not unkindly, a sarcasticsmile playing about the corners of his mouth; and Domitian, his brother,who has already been described, a man taller than either of them by halfa head, and more gorgeously attired. In front of the august three was amaster of ceremonies clad in a dark-coloured robe, who was showing themdrawings of various sections of the triumphal procession, and takingtheir orders as to such alterations as they wished.
Also there were present, a treasurer, some officers and two or three ofthe intimate friends of Titus.
Vespasian looked up.
"Greeting, worthy Gallus," he said in the friendly, open voice of onewho has spent his life in camps, "and to your wife, Julia, greetingalso. So that is the Pearl-Maiden of whom we have heard so much talk.Well, I do not pretend to be a judge of beauty, still I say that thisJewish captive does not belie her name. Titus, do you recognise her?"
"In truth, no, father. When last I saw her she was a sooty, witheredlittle thing whom Gallus yonder carried in his great arms, as a childmight carry a large doll that he had rescued from the fire. Yes, I agreethat she is beautiful and worthy of a very good place in the procession.Also she should fetch a large price afterwards, for that necklace ofpearls goes with her--make a note of this, Scribe--and the reversion toconsiderable property in Tyre and elsewhere. This, by special favour,she will be allowed to inherit from her grandfather, the old rabbi,Benoni, one of the Sanhedrim, who perished in the burning of theTemple."
"How can a slave inherit property, son?" asked Vespasian, raising hiseyebrows.
"I don't know," answered Titus with a laugh. "Perhaps Domitian can tellyou. He says that he has studied law. But so I have decreed."
"A slave," interrupted Domitian wisely, "has no rights and can hold noproperty, but the Caesar of the East"--here he sneered--"can declare thatcertain lands and goods will pass to the highest bidder with the personof the slave, and this, Vespasian Caesar, my father, is what I understandTitus Caesar, my brother, has thought it good to do in the presentinstance."
"Yes," said Titus in a quiet voice, though his face flushed, "that,Domitian, is what I have thought it good to do. In such a matter is notmy will enough?"
"Conqueror of the East," replied Domitian, "Thrower-down of the mountainstronghold called Jerusalem, to which the topless towers of Ilium wereas nothing, and Exterminator of a large number of misguided fanatics,in what matter is not your will enough? Yet a boon, O Caesar. As you aregreat, be generous," and with a mocking gesture he bowed the knee toTitus.
"What boon do you seek of me, brother, who know that all I have is, or,"he added slowly, "will be--yours?"
"One that is already granted by your precious words, Titus. Of all youhave, which is much, I seek only this Pearl-Maiden, who has taken myfancy. The girl only, not her property in Tyre, wherever that may be,which you can keep for yourself."
Vespasian looked up, but before he could speak, Titus answered quickly:
"I said, Domitian, 'all I have.' This maid I have not, therefore thewords do not apply. I have decreed that the proceeds of the sale ofthese captives is to be divided equally between the wounded soldiers andthe poor of Rome. Therefore she is their property, not mine. I will notrob them."
"Virtuous man! No wonder that the legions love him who cannot withdrawone lot from a sale of thousands, even to please an only brother,"soliloquised Domitian.
"If you wish for the maid," went on Titus, taking no heed of the insult,"the markets are open--buy her. It is my last word."
Suddenly Domitian grew angry, the false modesty left his face, histall form straightened itself, and he stared round with his blear,evil-looking eyes.
"I appeal," he shouted, "I appeal from Caesar the Small to Caesar theGreat, from the murderer of a brave barbarian tribe to the conquerorof the world. O Caesar, Titus here declared that all he has is mine. Yetwhen I ask him for the gift of one captive girl he refuses me. Command,I pray you, that he should keep his word."
Now the officers and the secretaries looked up, for of a sudden thissmall matter had become very important. For long the quarrel betweenTitus and his jealous brother had smouldered, now over the pettyquestion of a captive it had broken into flame.
The face of Titus grew hard and stern as that of some statue of theoffended Jove.
"Command, I pray you, father," he said, "that my brother should ceaseto offer insult to me. Command also that he should cease to question mywill and my authority in matters great or small that are within my rule.Since you are appealed to as Caesar, as Caesar judge, not of this thingonly but of all, for there is much between him and me that needs to bemade plain."
Vespasian looked round him uneasily, but seeing no escape and thatbeneath the quarrel lay issues which were deep and wide, he spoke out inhis brave, simple-minded fashion.
"Sons," he said, "seeing that there are but two of you who together, orone after the other, must inherit the world, it is an evil-omened thingthat you should quarrel thus, since on the chances of your enmity mayhang your own fates and the fates of peoples. Be reconciled, I prayyou. Is there not enough for both? As for the matter in hand--this is myjudgment. With all the spoils of Judaea, this fair maid is the propertyof Titus. Titus, whose boast it is that he does not go back upon hisword, has decreed that she shall be sold and her price divided betweenthe sick soldiers and the poor. Therefore she is no longer his to giveaway, even to his brother. With Titus I say--if you desire the girl,Domitian, bid your agent buy her in the market."
"Aye, I will buy her," snarled Domitian, "but this I swear, that soonor late Titus shall pay the price and one that he will be loth to give."Then followed by his secretary and an officer, he turned and left theaudience hall.
"What does he mean?" asked Vespasian, looking after him with anxiouseyes.
"He means that----" and Titus checked himself. "Well, time and mydestiny will show the world what he means. So be it. As for you,Pearl-Maiden, who, though you know it not, have cost Caesar so dear,well, you are fairer than I thought, and shall have the best of placesin the pageant. Yet, for your sake, I pray that one may be found who,when you come to the market-place, may outbid Domitian," and he wavedhis hand to show that the audience was at an end.
Pearl-Maiden: A Tale of the Fall of Jerusalem Page 32
