"I know not who thou art," replied the little maid, with a smile. "But I see that thou art very beautiful, and my heart doth tell me that thou art good. Thou art also a great lady, for thou weareth rich garments and rare jewels."
Claudia smiled.
"Thy answer doth please me, little maid; thou hath an apt tongue," she said. "I am Claudia, wife of Naaman."
The soft, dark eyes of the little maid were lifted to Claudia's face with a swift look of compassion. For a moment Claudia shrank back and was silent.
"Ah," she thought, "even this slave-girl knoweth that Naaman is a leper and doth pity Naaman's wife. Wouldst thou like to enter my service, maiden?" she asked. "If so, no doubt, thou canst be bought of thy master, Eucadeus."
Leah's eyes lighted with rapture.
"Ay, lady, glad indeed would I be to enter thy service," she replied. "I am sure thou couldst buy me of Eucadeus, for he loveth gold above all things."
"Then I shall send my chief steward to Eucadeus," said Claudia. "Now, hasten, maiden, to do thy errand, lest thy master chide thee for tarrying."
Claudia returned to the palace and, summoning her chief steward, said to him: