‘Let him go, and desert us like the rest, in our calamity!’
‘At least, we have the jewels.’
‘The jewels? Let them be returned to their owner. Shall we defile ourselves by taking them as wages for anything—above all, for that which is unperformed?’
‘But, my child, they were given to us freely. He bade me keep them; and—and, to tell you the truth, I must keep them. After this unfortunate failure, be sure of it, every creditor we have will be clamouring for payment.’
‘Let them take our house and furniture, and sell us as slaves, then. Let them take all, provided we keep our virtue.’
‘Sell us as slaves? Are you mad?’
‘Not quite mad yet, father,’ answered she with a sad smile. ‘But how should we be worse than we are now, were we slaves? Raphael Aben-Ezra told me that he obeyed my precepts, when he went forth as a houseless beggar; and shall I not have courage to obey them myself, if the need come? The thought of his endurance has shamed my luxury for this many a month. After all, what does the philosopher require but bread and water, and the clear brook in which to wash away the daily stains of his earthly prison-house? Let what is fated come. Hypatia struggles with the stream no more!’
‘My daughter! And have you given up all hope? So soon disheartened! What! Is this paltry accident to sweep away the purposes of years? Orestes remains still faithful. His guards have orders to garrison the house for as long as we shall require them.’
‘Send them away, then. I have done no wrong, and I fear no punishment.’
‘You do not know the madness of the mob; they are shouting your name in the streets already, in company with Pelagia’s.’