He looked at her face, and saw thereon something to follow.
"I can—be bought," he answered softly.
She remembered his part in the ambuscade the night of the Dance of Flora, and her face paled a little.
"It is not the Nazarene way," she replied unreadily.
"Nay, but if the demand be great enough, any method must serve. Shall I name my price?" His voice was clear and illuminating.
She arose and moved over to one of the columns, and leaning against it gazed across toward the blue sparkle of the New Port. She felt the strength of his fortification, the extent of his power over her. Not any of the many things she had hidden from all but Marsyas were unknown to him!
She turned to him with appeal in her eyes, but he laughed very softly, and wrapped the kerchief skilfully about his head. His composure terrified her. He held out his hand.
"Think," he said, "and to-morrow or the next to-morrow, but soon, thou wilt tell me. Meanwhile I shall tell thy father that I have spoken with thee."
He took her fingers and kissed them.
"Farewell. And let the Nazarenes persuade thee, if I can not!"