“Look you, Benoni,” he said, “this is a problem not to be solved by you or by Caleb, but by Miriam herself, and none other.  Do you understand?”

“I understand that you threaten me.”

“Ay, I do.  Miriam is of full age; her sojourn with the Essenes must come to an end.  Doubtless you will take her to dwell with you.  Well, beware how you deal by her.  If she wishes to marry Caleb of her own free will, let her do so.  But if you force her to it, or suffer him to force her, then by your God, and by my gods, and by her God, I tell you that I will come back and take such a vengeance upon him and upon you, and upon all your people, that it shall be a story for generations.  Do you believe me?”

Benoni looked up at the man who stood before him in his youth and beauty, his eyes on fire and his form quivering with rage, and looking, shrank back a little.  He did not know that this light-hearted Roman had such strength and purpose at command.  Now he understood for the first time that he was a true son of the terrible race of conquerors, who, if he were crossed, could be as merciless as the worst of them, one whose very honesty and openness made him to be feared the more.

“I understand that you believe what you say.  Whether when you are back at Rome, where there are women as fair as the Queen of the Essenes, you will continue to believe it, is another matter.”

“Yes, a matter for me to settle.”

“Quite so—­for you to settle.  Have you anything to add to the commands you are pleased to lay upon your humble creditor, Benoni the merchant?”

“Yes, two things.  First, that when I leave this house you will no longer be my creditor.  I have brought money to pay you off in full, principal and interest.  My talk of borrowing was but a play and excuse to learn what you knew of Miriam.  Nay, do not start, though it may seem strange to you that I also can be subtle.  Foolish man, did you think that I with my prospects should be left to lack for a miserable half-talent?  Why, there at Jerusalem I could have borrowed ten, or twenty, if I would promise my patronage by way of interest.  My servants wait with the gold without.  Call them in presently and pay yourself, principal and interest, and something for a bonus.  Now for the second, Miriam is a Christian.  Beware how you tamper with her faith.  It is not mine, but I say—­beware how you tamper with it.  You gave her father and her mother, your own daughter, to be slaughtered by gladiators and to be torn by lions because, forsooth, they did not think as you do.  Lift one finger against her and I will hale you into the amphitheatre at Rome, there yourself to be slaughtered by gladiators, or to be torn by lions.  Although I am absent I shall know all that you do, for I have friends who are good and spies that are better.  Moreover, I return here shortly.  Now I ask you, will you give me your solemn word, swearing it by that God whom you worship, first, that you will not attempt to force your granddaughter Miriam into marriage with Caleb the Jew; and secondly, that you will shelter her, treating her with all honour, and suffering her to follow her own faith in freedom?”