Instantly Marcus became very wide awake.  “Oh, yes, I saw her; and what else did he tell you?”

“He told me that this lady was both beautiful and learned.”

“That is true,” said Marcus with enthusiasm.  “To my mind, although she is small, I never saw one lovelier, nor do I know a sculptor who is her equal.  If you will come with me to the ship I will open the case and show you the bust she made of me.  But tell me, did this visitor of yours lack the forefinger on one hand—­his right?”

“He did.”

“Then I suppose that he is named Caleb.”

“Yes; but how do you know that?”

“Because I cut off his forefinger,” said Marcus, “in a fair fight, and,” he added savagely, “he is a young rascal, as murderous as he is able, whose life I did ill to spare.”

“Ah,” said Benoni, “it seems that I have still some discernment, for just so I judged him.  Well, what more do you know of the lady?”

“Something, since in a way I am affianced to her.”

“Indeed!  Well, this is strange, for so, as he told me, is Caleb.”

“He told you that?” said Marcus springing from his chair.  “Then he lies, and would that I had time to prove it on his body!  She rejected him; I have it from Nehushta; also I know it in other ways.”

“Then she did accept you, my lord Marcus?”

“Not quite,” he replied sadly; “but that was only because I am not a Christian.  She loves me all the same,” he added, recovering.  “Upon that point there can be no doubt.”

“Caleb seemed to doubt it,” suggested Benoni.

“Caleb is a liar,” repeated Marcus with emphasis, “and one of whom you will do well to beware.”

“Why should I beware of him?”

Marcus paused a moment, then answered boldly: 

“Because the lady Miriam is your granddaughter and the heiress of your wealth.  I say it, since if I did not Caleb would; probably he has done so already.”

For a moment Benoni hid his face in his hands.  Then he lifted it and said: 

“I thought as much, and now I am sure.  But, my lord Marcus, if my blood is hers my wealth is my own.”

“Just so.  Keep it if you will, or leave it where you will.  It is Miriam I seek, and not your money.”

“I think that Caleb seeks both Miriam and my money—­like a prudent man.  Why should he not have them?  He is a Jew of good blood; he will, I think, rise high.”

“And I am a Roman of better blood who will rise higher.”

“Yes, a Roman, and I, the grandfather, am a Jew who do not love you Romans.”

“And Miriam is neither Jew nor Roman, but a Christian, brought up not by you, but by the Essenes; and she loves me, although she will not marry me because I am not a Christian.”

Benoni shrugged his shoulders as he answered: 

“All of this is a problem which I must ponder on and solve.”

Marcus sprang from his seat and stood before the old man with menace in his air.