"Then Naaman careth not for the pitying and loathing of all Syria since Claudia still loveth him," he cried.
Claudia, wife of Naaman, was wandering listlessly through the beautiful grounds which surrounded the palace. Her lovely face was pale, her eyes full of sadness. She rarely went beyond the grounds of the palace, shrinking from the compassionate glances bent upon her, and the murmurs which too often reached her ears:
"See! 'tis Claudia, the wife of Naaman, the leper."
Suddenly through the gates of the palace there came a little maid. She was poorly-clad, but, as she drew near, her sweet face attracted the attention of Claudia.
"Who art thou, little one?" she asked.
"I am Leah, a slave," replied the little maid, while her dark head drooped in shame.
"A slave!" repeated Claudia. "Cometh thou not from the land of Israel?" she asked.
"Yes," replied Leah. "I was captured by a company of Syrians while on my way to Samaria, brought to Damascus and placed in the slave market where I was bought by Eucadeus, a wine-merchant. 'Tis he who hath sent me to the palace of Naaman where he selleth his wine."
"Captured and sold into slavery—'tis a hard fate for one so young," murmured Claudia, musingly. "Knoweth thou who I am, maiden?"